TUTOR READing programme
The Tutor Reading Program aims to promote reading for pleasure for all levels and ages. Reading for pleasure has been proven to increase student's reading levels and spelling, as well as their overall enjoyment and love of the written word. All the books chosen for the reading programme have been carefully selected with the students in mind, allowing them access to a rich and varied variety of both fiction and non-fictional works. Every book selection has been vetted and deemed to be both age appropriate and challenging, as well as enjoyable. The books have been selected to cover a wide variety of topics, both historical and modern-day literature in order to inspire and educate the future generation and promote a life long love of reading.
Many of the books chosen for the reading programme have won a wide variety of awards such as Carnegie or Kate Greenaway medals and are regarded as literature classics and modern literacy classics. It is hoped that by offered such a wide and diverse range of reading material that many students are exposed to books and literature that they wouldn't normally read. The reading programme within the school hopes to expand the children's reading material and increase their enjoyment of reading, whilst gaining a 'cultural capital' that will remain with them for life.
Each book has been chosen to represent the schools core values and morals seeking to equip students for an ever changing and diverse world :
For Example :
- GHOST BOYS : This novel by Jewell Parker Rhodes is not only a good cultural lead into Black History Month, but also promotes links with the school's values of being Kind, Resilient, Respectful and Service. This story about twelve-year-old Jerome, seeks to show how tolerance and kindness are the foundations of our society. That respect and service to others serves not just us, but our wider community and in turn the world. It shows racial tolerance, whilst not turning away from history, however tragic, but to also learn from it and move forward in positive belief.
- ANIMAL FARM : This timeless classic not only delivers a powerful world political viewpoint, but on an everyday scale promotes how working together and not allowing division to divide people unites us as a society. We are only as strong as our weakest members of our community. This links in with the schools' ideals about being Kind to one another and support with encouragement. Resilient in the face of adversity. Welcoming to embrace diversity and inclusion. Respectful, with the ethics to respect everyone's rights to learn and be themselves.
- THE GRAVEYARD BOOK : An utterly charming and unique book by the talented author Neil Gaiman. This story charmingly promotes the ideals of a diverse, multicultural and historically challenged family, where the baby, Nobody Owens, is raised by a graveyard of ghosts. This book links in with the values of being Respectful and to Listen with respect to others. To be welcoming to diversity and inclusion for all. To be creative and approach tasks with imagination and originality. To grow to be independent.
- THE WOMAN IN BLACK : Classic Gothic horror novel by Susan Hill, it tells the tale of a man who visits a deserted house on a dangerous marsh only to discover it is haunted. This story links into a core value of being resilient and listening to others, with a creative independence.
- ENOLA HOLMES : A modern take on an old tale by author Nancy Springer. Enola is a positive feminist role model, which explores historical events through a story that revolves around critical thinking and problem solving. Her character links in with many values the school promotes : Creative, Independent, Resilient, Positive, Belief and Service.
- MALADAPTED : This dystopian novel by Richard Kurti looks at a future of biological modifications and advancements. This adventure puzzle of a story shows core values of Belief, Creative, Resilient, Service, Listen and Respect.