Reading at Somercotes Academy
At Somercotes Academy, our mission is to help every student aspire to excellence, demonstrate respect for themselves and others, and contribute positively to our school community. Reading plays a vital role in developing these qualities and in helping students achieve success across the curriculum.
Strong reading skills support achievement in all subjects, boost confidence, and help students become thoughtful, informed and articulate young people.
Students are encouraged to engage with a wide range of texts, think critically, and express their views with clarity — skills that support them across all subjects and into adult life.
We believe that reading:
- Boosts academic performance at Key Stage 3 and GCSE
- Strengthens communication skills
- Supports wellbeing and personal development
- Helps students understand the world around them
Below are practical ways you can support your child’s reading at home, closely aligned with our academy values.
Reading and Our Values
Aspiration
Reading opens doors — academically, socially and personally. By engaging with a wide variety of texts, students expand their vocabulary, build strong analytical skills and develop the high levels of literacy needed for future education and employment. Encouraging regular reading at home helps your child aim high and reach their full potential.
Respect
Respect for learning is fundamental to success. When students read regularly, talk thoughtfully about texts, and engage with different viewpoints, they learn to respect ideas, authors, cultures and perspectives beyond their own. Supporting your child to read carefully and discuss texts respectfully helps nurture maturity and sensitivity.
Community
Reading strengthens our sense of community by giving students shared knowledge, shared stories and shared experiences. At Somercotes Academy, our reading events and tutortime literacy activities help students feel part of a wider learning community. When families support reading at home, it reinforces the partnership between school, family and student — creating a unified community working together for success.
How You Can Support Your Child at Home
1. Encourage Regular Reading (Aspiration)
Aim for around 20 minutes of reading, five times a week. This helps your child build the stamina and knowledge needed to aspire to high achievement at KS3 and for GCSEs.
This might include:
- Novels, poetry or plays
- Nonfiction linked to school subjects
- Magazines, newspapers or online articles
- Audiobooks or ebooks
Reading regularly builds resilience, vocabulary and confidence — all essential for success in English and across the curriculum.
2. Talk About What They’re Reading (Respect)
Show interest, listen to their views and explore different opinions together. This develops respectful dialogue and strengthens comprehension.
You don’t need to be familiar with the book — simply showing interest helps. You might ask:
- “What happened in your reading today?”
- “Do you like the main character?”
- “What have you learned from this text?”
These conversations support deeper understanding and help students engage more meaningfully with what they read.
3. Model Reading at Home (Community)
When children see adults reading, it normalises literacy as part of family life. This builds a home community where reading is valued and enjoyed.
Young people imitate what they see. By showing that reading is part of everyday life — whether you're reading a book, article, recipe or something online — you send a strong message about its value.
4. Support With New Vocabulary (Aspiration)
Understanding challenging words boosts confidence and supports academic progress in all subjects.
At GCSE level, strong vocabulary is vital. Encourage your child to:
- Guess meanings from context
- Look words up together
- Keep a list of new words
This strengthens comprehension, improves writing, and supports academic progress across KS3 and KS4.
Reading is key to success in every subject, not just English. Helpful reading might include:
- Science or history articles
- Revision guides and exam practice questions
- Subjectspecific websites and publications
This supports the curriculum and helps students prepare for summative assessments at KS3 and GCSE.
5. Connect Reading to School Subjects (Aspiration & Respect)
Reading articles, revision guides and subjectspecific texts helps students develop ambitious academic goals while respecting the demands of each subject’s curriculum.
Reading is key to success in every subject, not just English. Helpful reading might include:
- Science or history articles
- Revision guides and exam practice questions
- Subjectspecific websites and publications
This supports the curriculum and helps students prepare for summative assessments at KS3 and GCSE.
6. Make Reading Enjoyable (Community)
When reading becomes a shared, positive experience, students feel supported and connected — at home and at school.
A positive reading experience is the most powerful motivator. You can help by:
- Letting them choose books they genuinely enjoy
- Reading together or listening to audiobooks
- Creating a quiet, comfortable reading space
