The Importance of Reading

At Arrow Vale, we wholly believe that reading is significantly important to the development of our students. We aim to create a Reading Culture that not only supports academic outcomes but creates a “reader for life”.

Why is reading important?

• Reading helps to broaden vocabulary which in turn helps them communicate both verbally and through writing
• Reading promotes creativity and builds imagination
• Reading helps build concentration and memory retention
• Reading teaches students about the world around them
• Reading relaxes the body and calms the mind.
• Reading helps students develop empathy
• Regular reading will develop reading skills that will support them in school and beyond

At RSA Academy Arrow Vale, we thoroughly promote reading:

• All students in Year 9 and 10 participate in the Accelerated Reader Programme which enables students to find reading age appropriate books from within our extensive library; it provides opportunities for students to quiz and test their comprehension abilities. It allows our English staff to select texts that best suit a student’s ability whilst providing a level of challenge in order to improve their reading age.
• All students participate in the Edinburgh Reading Test which further generates reading ability data and assesses a range of different literacy skills. It provides diagnostic profiles that highlight each pupil’s own strengths and weaknesses.
• All students within Year 9 and 10 have dedicated English library lessons and are provided with time to read independently.
• All students who engage with reading and quizzing frequently are entered into Arrow Vale’s termly reading competitions, where students have the opportunity to win personalised gifts and certificates.
• During tutor time on a Friday, students in Year 9 are read aloud to by their form tutor and students in Year 10 have more time to independently read.

It’s important to us that we promote and foster this love of reading and would appreciate if you could    also join us in developing this with your child.

5 ways you can support your child with reading:

• A student’s Accelerated reading book is part of their school equipment. It’s important they bring this each day. For the programme to work effectively, it’s important they read it for 20 minutes a day too.
• Make reading a regular activity at home. Use this time to read together. Get your child to read to you so that you can monitor their reading abilities, vocabulary knowledge and foster an engagement with their book. You could also use this time to read to them; this will allow your child to develop knowledge via auditory and modelling.
• Ask questions about the book(s) that your child is reading. They are likely to be more enthused with their book if you also show an interest in it. This also develops their comprehension abilities.

• Visit your local library and see what books are available. You can use this as an opportunity to choose books together.
• Encourage your child to write. This could be a story or perhaps writing about the book they’ve read. An engagement in writing after reading will allow your child to apply some of the skills and vocabulary that they have built during reading. It also fosters creativity and comprehension ability.