Reading

At St Thomas’ we know how important reading is to our pupils. When children read for pleasure, educational outcomes increase. This results in an increase in empathy, improved relationships, reduced depression and dementia and improved wellbeing. (The Reading Agency) We know that reading needs to be part of everyday life.

We ensure that reading is a priority throughout all areas of school life; we have a well-stocked library, plan for reading across all curriculum areas and provide a range of extra-curricular enrichment opportunities which promote reading. All classes enjoy stories or an extended novel which is read to them most days. We have visits from theatre groups and authors and spent time discussing what we enjoy to read.

Reading in school

In our English lessons, pupils read from a wide selection of texts as well as reading whole-class novels. Here is a selection of texts that we are reading in different classes throughout the school: