Literacy
At The Fernwood School, we understand the importance of supporting our pupils to develop strong literacy skills which are crucial for success across the curriculum.
The Fernwood School strives to:
- Develop literacy skills in pupils so that they can access a range of texts and understand how to interact effectively in both written and verbal communication
- Promote ways in which all subjects can make a specific contribution to developing pupils’ language through the teaching of subject-specific vocabulary and patterns of language
- Ensure that all pupils recognise the importance of literacy as a tool for personal identification, expression, and inclusion in society
- Nurture a love of literacy as part of pupils’ life-long learning journey
Literacy at Fernwood
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Support Your Child Reading at Home
Encourage your child to visit the library
We have a fantastic library here at The Fernwood School. Pupils are welcome to visit the library during designated break or lunch times and borrow a book for free. KS3 pupils also have a library lesson every three weeks. The library has hundreds of books that are suitable for all reading abilities and all reading interests. Our library team can support your child to find a book that interests them.
You could also visit your local library. Most services at local libraries are free. Your local library may also run free clubs (such as Young Writers’ Group) and reading events (such as author visits).
Find a local library here:
https://www.nottinghamcitylibraries.co.uk/find-a-library/BIUR
Let your child pick what they want to read
Here’s a helpful book finder tool:
https://www.booktrust.org.uk/books-and-reading/bookfinder/
Allow your child to read different things; it doesn’t just have to be fiction books. Children may wish to read biographies, travel books, poetry, comics, magazines, news articles, and more!
Try timed reading
If your child dislikes reading, or is reluctant to read, timed reading can be a good way to make reading manageable. Set a 15-minute timer and ask your child to read (without distractions).
Ask them questions to see what they have understood:
What is your story about?
What do you think might happen next?
Which character do you like the least or the most?
Does this book remind you of anything else you’ve read or seen?
Is there a moral message behind this book?
Why do you think our author wrote this book?
This is most effective when embedded two to three times into your weekly routine.
Read along with them
Read your own book while children are completing timed reading, or model good reading by reading aloud to them. You could listen to an audiobook together in the car on the way to school.
Take the time to read the same book as them and discuss the book together. This works particularly well if you start a series together!
Consider Dyslexia friendly options
Dyslexia friendly books have accessible layouts and spacing, easy to read font, and off-white paper to reduce visual stress. This can help children with dyslexia enjoy a book.
In particular, we recommend Barrington-Stoke books as they are hi lo (high interest, low ability), meaning the content is appropriate to the age of the reader. You can find more out on their website: https://www.barringtonstoke.co.uk/dyslexic-reluctant-readers/
We have dyslexia friendly books in our library too!