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At Castle School, we believe that reading is the key to success—not just in English, but across every subject. Strong literacy skills help students understand more, express themselves clearly, and build confidence in all areas of life.
We know that families play a vital role in helping children become confident, enthusiastic readers.
🏡 How You Can Help at Home
Talk about books and reading. Ask your child what they’re reading at school or on Sparx Reader. Show interest in their opinions and encourage them to share their thoughts.
Listen to them read aloud. Even older students benefit from reading out loud. It builds fluency and confidence.
Be a reading role model. Let your child see you reading—whether it’s a book, newspaper, or magazine.
Encourage a variety of reading. Help them find what interests them: blogs, biographies, comics, news articles, and more.
Make reading enjoyable. Remind your child that reading can be fun and exciting.
Visit your local library. Taunton Library is a fantastic, free resource with events for young readers.
Support their learning. Reassure them if reading is difficult and celebrate their progress.
📖 What We Do in School
Tutor Time Reading
Each year group reads up to three carefully chosen books together during tutor time. These books explore important themes like migration, discrimination, and resilience.
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Year 7 |
Year 8 |
Year 9 |
Year 10 |
Year 11 |
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Popular Fiction |
Kick, by Mitch Johnson
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The Ghosts of Heaven, by Marcus Sedgwick
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Brother in the Land, by Robert Swindells |
The Hate U Give, by Angie Thomas |
Animal Farm, by George Orwell |
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Classic |
The Thirty-Nine Steps, by John Buchan |
Animal Farm, by George Orwell |
Of Mice and Men, by John Steinbeck |
The Hound of the Baskervilles, by Arthur Conan Doyle |
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Biography |
Boy, by Roald Dahl |
I Am Malala, by Malala Yousafzai |
The Boys Who Challenged Hitler, by Phillip Hoose |
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Sparx Reader
Sparx is an online reading platform which is used across the school to help students practice reading regularly. This supports the development of comprehension and fluency which in turn helps young people succeed in school and later in life. Furthermore, Sparx can be used to help identify those who are in need of support and intervention.
What it involves?
Sparx involves reading for 30 minutes as homework every week along with a reading lesson in English lessons every fortnight. With each page read – a comprehension question answered – students gain points which contributes to the house trophy. This encourages that sense of belonging amongst the house alongside their want to achieve through friendly competition. This is celebrated and tracked throughout the year in our celebration assemblies.
Library Access
Open from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm for reading, homework, and quiet study. Student librarians help run the space.
Weekly Reading Homework – Year 7 and 8
Every Wednesday, students receive a reading article linked to the school’s weekly theme. A QR code links to a video of a teacher modelling fluent reading.
Reading Support
Students who need extra help receive small-group support focused on phonics, fluency, and comprehension.
🌐 Useful Resources for Parents
GOV.UK – 10 Top Tips for Parents to Support Reading: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/10-top-tips-to-encourage-children-to-read/10-top-tips-to-encourage-children-to-read
National Literacy Trust – Early Years Literacy Support: https://literacytrust.org.uk/research-services/research-reports/parents-support-for-young-childrens-literacy-at-home-in-2024/
Twinkl – 15 Ways to Encourage Reading at Home: https://www.twinkl.co.uk/blog/15-ways-to-encourage-parents-to-read-at-home-with-their-child
BookTrust – Getting Children Reading: https://www.booktrust.org.uk/
Taunton Library: https://www.somerset.gov.uk/locations/taunton-library/
Education Endowment Foundation (EEF): https://educationendowmentfoundation.org.uk/
National Literacy Trust: https://literacytrust.org.uk/resources/
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