At The Kassia Academy, we are committed to ensuring that every learner has the opportunity to develop their reading skills.
Whilst many of our students face barriers in the process of learning to read, it is our duty to support learners to overcome those barriers and to learn to decode and understand the written word. We also see it as our duty, to inspire our learners to see the value in reading. Many learners will need to support in finding a genre, author or style of writing from which they can derive pleasure and it is our job to do just that, whilst broadening learners’ interests and exposing them to new literature.
Every year at Kassia, we celebrate World Book day with all the teachers choosing characters and dressing up to inspire the learners with, an emphasis on promoting reading for pleasure. We inspire the children to further develop the love of reading for pleasure, which sublimely increases access to learning and the curriculum and capital of culture experiences. Reading opens opportunities and opportunities increase life experiences as the following quote by a great writer once stated.
“The more that you read, the more things you will know. The more you learn, the more places you'll go.”— Dr. Seuss,
Our school is proud to offer an on-site library that provides learners with the opportunity to borrow a wide range of reading materials to support their studies and personal interests. The library features a diverse and continually updated collection of books, magazines, eBooks and audiobooks, ensuring there is something to suit every learner’s preference. Whether students are researching for a project, exploring new genres or simply reading for pleasure, they can easily find and request the resources they need. The library is overseen by our Lead of Literacy and our dedicated Student Library Supervisor, who work together to support learners in developing their reading skills and fostering a lifelong love of literature!
At The Kassia Academy, we believe that reading unlocks endless possibilities. It is the key that opens every door to learning, curiosity and personal growth. Reading empowers our learners to become confident, independent and reflective thinkers who read with fluency, accuracy and understanding.
We recognise that reading is at the heart of everything, both in school and beyond. It is the foundation that allows our learners to access knowledge, express themselves and take ownership of their future.
Our whole-school approach to reading is driven by passion and purpose. We nurture a strong reading culture that inspires both learners and staff through rich, engaging and thought-provoking texts. These stories and ideas spark imagination, encourage creativity and help our learners envision and build their own future worlds.
At Kassia, every learner is given the chance to explore diverse, high-quality fiction and non-fiction from across the globe, celebrating different voices, experiences and cultures. Through this, we aim to broaden horizons and deepen understanding of the wider world.
We pride ourselves on creating a vibrant, inspiring environment where reading is celebrated every day. Our staff are enthusiastic, knowledgeable and always up to date with current literature. They help make reading come alive, ensuring every learner feels encouraged to pick up a book and discover the power of words.
At The Kassia Academy, our mission is to ignite a lifelong passion for reading, promoting it as a tool for attainment, engagement, enrichment and intervention.
Every learner takes part in weekly 1:1 reading sessions with our dedicated Learning Mentors, receiving personalised support and encouragement. Throughout the year, students explore a diverse selection of exciting books across a range of genres, helping them discover stories that inspire and challenge them.
Each learner follows Kassia’s bespoke reading spine, progressing through carefully designed book bands that match their reading level and stretch their skills. With every completed book, students earn a book voucher to spend on a title of their choice — a book for a book! After finishing three books, learners are recognised for their progress with a certificate of achievement presented during Tutor Time and added to their reading record.
At Kassia, every page turned is a step forward towards confidence, curiosity, and a lifelong love of reading.
Phonics: Learners, who are identified as requiring targeted phonics support, will access this through bespoke one‑to‑one interventions using our Fresh Start phonics programme via Read Write Inc. Progress is assessed each term to ensure students are making valuable gains and growing in confidence when reading.
Accelerated Reader: Learners participate in the Accelerated Reader programme to support independent reading and comprehension. They select books at their own reading level, complete short quizzes to check understanding and earn points as they progress. This helps learners track their growth, set personal reading goals, and develop a love of reading across a wide range of genres.
Shared Reading: Each week, classes engage with a shared text, focusing on specific reading skills or exploring features of different genres. This may take place as part of lessons across the curriculum, not only in English.
Individual Reading: Students read age-appropriate books, magazines, or local newspapers such as the Warrington Guardian. Reading materials may be physical books or digital texts. Every student has the opportunity to read with an adult (Learning Mentor) at least once a week.
Reading Aloud: Students are continuously encouraged to read aloud to a variety of audiences to build confidence, fluency and expression.
Class Reader: Teachers read aloud age-appropriate and engaging texts to the class. This takes place on Fridays, with different texts introduced each term for both Key Stage 3 and Key Stage 4.
Library: All learners have access to the school library and weekly scheduled library lessons are included in the curriculum. Learners are encouraged to make use of the library, borrow books and update their reading regularly. The wide variety of resources are provided by the ELS (Education Library Service) who supply resources and books which are replaced termly to ensure learners have access to the most up to date and relevant texts and resources to support their learning.
Literacy Leaderboard: As part of our one-to-one reading interventions, learners are encouraged to read three books from their designated book band: Bronze Emerging, Bronze Secure, Silver or Gold. After finishing a book and submitting a review, students receive a Golden Ticket worth 10 tuck shop tokens!
Book Bands and Titles:
Bronze Emerging: Kick by Mitch Johnson, Wonder by R. J. Palacio, Can You See Me? by Libby Scott, Goldfish Boy by Lisa Thompson
Bronze Secure: The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time by Mark Haddon, Heartstopper by Alice Oseman, The Outsiders by S.E. Hinton
Silver: A Monster Calls by Patrick Ness, The Woman in Black by Susan Hill, Frankenstein by Mary Shelley, Boys Don’t Cry by Malorie Blackman
Gold: Crossing the Line by Tia Fisher, Needle by Patrice Lawrence, The Road by Cormac McCarthy, Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens, The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald
The Cheshire Book Awards:
In partnership with the Education Library Service, The Kassia Academy actively participates in The Cheshire Book Awards. This initiative encourages learners to read the nominated books and vote for their favourite. Our staff and students are excited to attend the awards ceremony later in the year!
Student driven. Teacher guided.
Accelerated Reader puts learners in the driver’s seat. Learners are guided, while engaging quizzes and activities help hone learners’ reading skills with authentic practice - encouraging growth.
From recognizing students’ achievements to students discovering new interests, Accelerated Reader helps create a culture of reading through choice.
Students who read more perform better academically.
To access Accelerated Reader, please click: here
