Literacy at Sir James Smith's School
At Sir James Smith's School, we understand that literacy is a fundamental aspect of school life. To be able to read, write and communicate effectively sets our young people up with the greatest chance of success at school and beyond. We know that literacy underpins all subject areas, and so all members of staff actively promote high levels of literacy.
At Sir James Smith’s, we recognise that reading opens a world of possibilities, and we have placed reading at the forefront of everything we do. We want to encourage and support students to foster a passion for reading so that they can access the curriculum and beyond. We are committed to ensuring that every child leaves our school with the ability to integrate themselves into society and be an active member of the community. Alongside Reading to Learn as a subject specialist in lesson time, where students are learning how to read as a geographer, a scientist or a mathematician, we absolutely believe in promoting Reading for Pleasure which begins in tutor time.
‘It is only from such stories that we can learn about and from different lives and cultures and hopefully bring people together.’ A.M. Dassu author of Fightback.
Tutor Reading
Our Tutor Reading Programme was fully launched for Years 7 through to 10 in September 2024. Every student, irrespective of their reading level, participates in three twenty-minute reading sessions each week. In each of these sessions, the tutor reads to the students modelling key aspects of reading such as pace, tone and expression. All students follow along in their own copy of the text, using a bookmark illustrated with reading strategies and a reading ruler to help track the text. It is here that students can learn how to escape into other worlds and meet new characters, as well asnevelop the skills needed to read fluently. Each text is supported with specially created tutor resources aimed at developing students’ understanding of new vocabulary and the issues raised within each book.
Sir James Smith’s Literary Canon introduces students to a range of authors from different backgrounds, from past and present and both fiction and non-fiction. Guided by the PSHE curriculum, the titles offered have been carefully selected to ensure that the range of narratives available address age-appropriate themes and provide students with a glimpse into the world around them, enabling them to safely extend their knowledge of the outside world beyond their immediate experience.
By introducing students to a range of classics as well as modern stories, students learn how to choose books which challenge and engage them, enabling them to make informed choices about what they read, extending their passion for reading and inspiring a life-long love of reading.
Further to this, we also have a well-stocked library with a range of genres and text-types to suit all readers. There are Enrichment opportunities with Book Clubs and external trips to meet authors and to take part in writing and reading workshops.
We invite parents and carers to regularly engage with their child about the books being read in tutor time, as well as to read with them at home.
Sir James Smith’s Literary Canon
Year 7
Year 8
Year 9
Year 10
