A New Way of Reading at School: A Parent’s Guide

We are excited to introduce a new, streamlined approach to reading for all pupils from Year 2 upwards (except those currently in phonics groups). Our goal is to help every child find books they love while ensuring they are reading at a level that perfectly matches their ability.

What is Accelerated Reader (AR)?

Accelerated Reader is a program that helps children select books that are challenging enough to promote growth, but not so difficult that they lose motivation. It also allows us to celebrate their progress through fun comprehension quizzes.

Understanding Your Child’s “ZPD” Range

Every half-term, your child will take a STAR Assessment. This is a short, adaptive quiz that determines their ZPD (Zone of Proximal Development).

When your child visits the school library, they will look for books within their specific ZPD range. This ensures they are reading books they can actually understand and enjoy.

1. Choose: They pick a book from the library shelves marked with their ZPD level.

2. Scan: They scan their personal barcode and the book using the library laptop.

3. Read: They bring the book home to enjoy! 📖

4. Quiz: Once finished, they log in to MyLogin at school to take a short online quiz about the book.

5. Return: They scan the book back in and choose their next adventure.

Note: Teachers have full access to AR, allowing them to monitor how many books your child is reading and how well they are understanding them.

How You Can Help at Home

The best way to support your child is to encourage them to read for a few minutes every day. Once they finish a book, ask them a few questions about the plot or characters, this is great practice for their AR Quiz!

  • Create a reading routine: Set aside 10–15 minutes each day for reading together.
  • Be a reading role model: Let your child see you enjoying books, newspapers, or magazines.
  • Talk about stories: Ask questions about the characters and plot to spark discussion and deeper understanding.

Encouraging reading at home and making the most of our library resources will help every child grow into a confident, enthusiastic reader. Together, we can inspire a lifelong love of books!