At St. Thomas More, we are deeply committed to fostering a love of reading among all students. Our students are encouraged and supported to read for pleasure and to actively engage with the variety of opportunities provided through our Library Stations around school and our dedicated Literacy Room.
We provide a wide range of ways for students to read for both purpose and pleasure including independent reading, group reading and reading with a teacher.
Independent Reading
- Students have daily access to our well-resourced Library Stations, Learning Hubs and Literacy Room where they can borrow and exchange books and make use of comfortable seating areas where they can sit and read.
- Pupils are provided with wider reading recommendations linked to each curriculum department covering a range of fiction and non-fiction linked to the subject and the topics studied.
- Reading is often set as part of homework across different curriculum areas, allowing pupils to explore subjects more deeply while enjoying reading.
- We host a range of optional events in our dedicated Literacy Room including live author visits and livestreams where pupils can hear about new releases, the craft of writing and partake in creative workshops and discussions.
- Each year, year 7 partake in the ‘Book Buzz’ project where they sample a large range of texts and are gifted their favourite as a welcome to our school and an encouragement to read for pleasure.
- We host annual events for all year groups in recognition of World Book Day and National Poetry Day.
- Teachers model and share their own reading by displaying ‘What I Am Currently Reading’ on the doors of their classrooms.
- Pupils are guided towards age- appropriate recommendations through our STM Canon of recommended reads.
Supported Reading
- A variety of book clubs run weekly giving students the chance to read and discuss books collaboratively.
- Many curriculum areas provide opportunities for pupils to share reading of subject- specific extracts or short texts and allow pupils to discuss their thoughts and opinions in a structured and safe environment.
- Group reading is integrated into pastoral reading sessions as part of our pastoral reading programme.
- Group guided reading sessions are used as part of our vocabulary, fluency and comprehension interventions which include choral and echo reading.
- A-Level students support our younger pupils through our ‘Reading Buddies’ programme where our more reluctant younger readers are supported in choosing, reading and discussing a text of their choice with the support of a specially trained year 12 role model.
- A range of class readers are used within a wide variety of lessons. These materials range from non-fiction texts such as instructions, recipes, letters, articles and speeches, to fiction including drama and poetry.
Pastoral Reading
Pastoral Reading sessions are a loved and embedded part of our school week. Every year group, from Year 7 to Year 13, participates in a weekly reading session led by their pastoral tutor.
- Pupils have the opportunity to read along as they listen to a fluent, expressive reader model how to bring the text to life.
- As pupils mature, texts are carefully chosen to address important personal development themes such as relationships, crime, loss and conflict.
- Reading fiction in this way allows pupils to safely explore real-world issues with the guidance and support of pastoral staff.
- To maximise the variety of books pupils experience, each pastoral class reads a different text, which is then rotated between classes. We aim for each pastoral class to read at least one book each academic year.
- Through these opportunities, we ensure that every student has the chance to become a confident, engaged reader while also enjoying the many benefits of literature, discussion and reflection.
- As part of our ‘Guest Reader’ programme, other members of staff, including senior leaders, lead some of the reading sessions to allow pupils to hear a range of different voices and reading styles and demonstrate that all staff at STM value reading.
The STM Reading Canon
- The Reading Canon is a key part of our commitment to literacy at STM, helping pupils not only read for pleasure, but also to read for purpose, preparing them for the challenges of further study, the world of work and life beyond school. It is designed to provide direction and support in choosing appropriate and engaging texts.
- Our ‘STM Canon’ is a curated list of books for each year group, carefully selected to provide a broad and balanced range of fiction and non-fiction and offers a mix of classic and contemporary texts.
- Each year group has a recommended set of books which students are encouraged to read over the course of a year.
- The chosen texts reflect a variety of cultures, experiences and perspectives helping students to explore the wider world through consideration of age-appropriate challenges and developing empathy.
- It is designed to support the Wider Curriculum and pastoral lessons which are a core feature of our curriculum and address many statutory requirements for secondary school pupils.
- The inclusion of non-fiction texts helps students to explore real- world topics, build knowledge across subjects and develop critical thinking skills. We also acknowledge that non-fiction can be a gateway into reading for pleasure for more reluctant readers.
- As pupils progress through the Key Stages, the challenge of the texts increases to support pupils in encountering more mature themes and more sophisticated vocabulary.
