Reading for pleasure has many benefits in supporting pupils’ development. Amongst other things, it has been shown to increase empathy, improve relationships with others, reduce the symptoms of depression and improve wellbeing throughout life.
At Ian Ramsey CE Academy, we believe that fostering a love of reading and the enjoyment it can bring is central to what we want for our pupils. Therefore, to support and promote reading for pleasure, along wih the resources and recommendations available on our website, we have also built it into our English curriculum thoughout Year 7-9.
Reading for Pleasure in English
Once per fortnight, as part of their English curriculum, pupils participate in lessons solely designed to support and encourage reading for pleasure. Through a range of reading strategies, led by the teacher, pupils read various texts which include novels, autobiographies and non-fiction.
| Year 7 | Year 8 | Year 9 |
| The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe by C.S. Lewis
Once by Morris Gleitzman Boy by Roald Dhal |
The Shadow in the North by Phillip Pullman
Then by Morris Gleitzman I am Malala by Malala Yousafzai |
Noughts and Crosses by Mallorie Blackman
Now by Morris Gleitzman You are a Champion by Marcus Rashford |
| Other texts which may be used:
The Boy at the Back of the Class by Onjali Rauf Prince Caspian by C.S. Lewis Lord of the Flies by William Golding After by Morris Gleitzman The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins Animal Farm by George Owell |
Oracy is important in developing pupils’ reading and understading. To support parents in creating dialogue with their children around what they read, we also send letters to parents/carers as we begin each new unit of learning with recommended reading lists for them.These recommendations link thematically to the topics being studied by their children.
We truly believe that promoting reading should happen both in and beyond the school and curriculum we offer.