Building whole-school reading communities - National Literacy Trust

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2 Imagine the difference it would make if every child loved to read… “…finding ways to engage students in reading may be one of the most effective ways to leverage social change.” This is the conclusion of a compelling report, Reading for Change, based on the findings of the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development’s Programme for International Student Assessment (OECD, 2002). Such powerful evidence brings great responsibility for all those working with children in schools today. Schools and families are key in encouraging children to develop a love of reading. Placing reading for pleasure at the centre of a school’s ethos and working with pupils’ families to encourage reading in the home must be a priority if we are to help children fulfil their potential. This booklet was written by Sarah Osborne and Julia Strong. Many thanks to Sue Sharpe, primary education consultant, for her invaluable contribution to the audit. www.readingconnects.org.uk
What is Reading Connects? Reading Connects, a DCSF-funded initiative delivered by the National Literacy Trust, supports schools in developing their own whole-school reading culture. Reading Connects is more of an ethos than a project. It encourages schools to embed a holistic creative approach to promoting reading for pleasure into their policies, vision and practice, integrating the following elements: • positioning reading for pleasure at the heart of the school’s policy to raise standards and promote enjoyment in learning • involving all members of staff, including catering staff, the caretaker, governors and parent groups in promoting reading • working in partnership with pupils’ families to encourage reading in the home • linking up with the local community and other schools to develop a local coordinated approach to promoting reading for pleasure • making reading as visible as possible within the school environment • learning from and sharing good practice with the Reading Connects network of schools and organisations On signing up, Reading Connects schools receive: • the primary handbook • the family involvement toolkit • a certificate • access to the Reading Connects logo • the opportunity to become part of the Reading Connects network and create their own blog • ongoing support and email newsletters How do I join Reading Connects? 3 Visit www.readingconnects.org.uk and click on ‘join Reading Connects’ in the lefthand menu. Locate your local authority and fill in the short form. The final stage of the form asks you to indicate two flexible action points, which you can always change at a later date. These can be decided upon by completing the audit on pages 6-9 of this booklet, or independently as part of your school improvement plan. How can I support Reading Connects schools in my local authority? Local authorities and School Library Services can sign up as Reading Connects partners. Visit www. readingconnects.org.uk and click on ‘local authority partners’ to find out how you can encourage schools in your area to build whole-school reading communities.
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Building whole-school reading communities - National Literacy Trust

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