At LSA we prioritise literacy across our curriculum to ensure that every reader in our school has the opportunity to succeed.
How we support reading
We regularly monitor all students’ reading abilities through the Star Reader test. This ensures that every child receives the support they need to be successful, whether that involves:
Additional tuition in small intervention groups
Taking part in one of our reading clubs
Entering the Lancashire Book of the Year Award
Every student is read to by their form tutor twice a week. In Years 7 and 8, pupils also attend a library reading lesson once a fortnight. These lessons provide the chance to:
Receive expert advice from our librarians
Access one-to-one support
Monitor progress using Accelerated Reader
Explore our extensive catalogue of books
Our commitment
Staff at LSA are dedicated to delivering excellence in every lesson. We provide regular training so that teachers stay up-to-date with the latest research on teaching reading effectively across the curriculum. This helps us ensure that students thrive as readers in every subject area.
One of our key priorities is to develop oracy and communication skills. We want our students to be articulate, confident, and accurate in their speaking and writing across all areas of school life.
Working together
Supporting your child’s reading at home is one of the most powerful ways you can help them succeed. At LSA, we believe a collaborative approach to literacy between school and home gives every student the best chance to achieve, building confidence, independence, and success across all subjects.
Further resources
The National Literacy Trust provides excellent online resources for students and families:
???? Words for Life – Zone In
Over last half-term, the Library undertook a large project to reorganise the fiction collection into Genres.
With the help of Student Library Leaders ; Frazer, Lilia, Amy, Owen, Ava, Maia, Lucy, Emily and Herbie we took our 8,000 fiction books off the shelves, researched genre icons, brain-stormed new signage (on it's way soon), and re-homed them into the most appropriate genre collection. The project took four weeks, with some tidying up ongoing.
The collection looks all the better for it. Students are managing to find their favourite books and new authors in their favourite genre with ease. It's something we've wanted to do for a long time and are grateful for all the supporting work from Student Library Leaders. As a Staff and Student team, we also get to see our collection's strengths from a new perspective that we will carry forward as we continually improve the reader experience.
The Collection now comprises :
Sport
Fantasy & Myth
Sci-Fi & Dystopian
Animals
Crime & Mystery
Action & Adventure
Horror
Romance
Graphic novels and comics
Quick Reads
Short story collections
Historical fiction
Humour
Realistic fiction
Classics
Manga
Next up we are revisiting the non-fiction collection, which despite being packed with really interesting titles and a whole world of topics, needs to become a little more user-friendly for students who are short of time or doing the final prep for exams. The collection will be streamlined into subject areas and restocked with Textbooks, Revision guides and handy Past-paper copies for individuals or groups of students doing homework or revising after school.
What is Accelerated Reader?
Accelerated Reader (AR) is an online reading-management system used at LSA to help students choose books that match their current reading level (ZPD), practise reading comprehension, and collect points for reading effort. After finishing a book, students take a short quiz which checks understanding — scores and points are recorded automatically.
AR is used by teachers to monitor progress, by tutors for reading challenges and by students who want to track their own reading and earn rewards.
How AR works at LSA
Find your ZPD (reading range): Teachers will tell you your ZPD during lessons or tutor time. Your ZPD helps you pick books that are just the right challenge for you.
Choose a book: Use the AR Bookfinder or the school library catalogue to pick a title with an AR quiz.
Read the book: Take your time. Use the ebook platform or a physical copy from our library.
Take the quiz: Log in to the AR site and complete the quiz — most quizzes are 5–20 questions and take 10–20 minutes.
Earn points and feedback: Your quiz score gives you points. High scores and regular reading contribute to house totals and individual recognition.
Logging in and where to read
Sign in with your LSA credentials via the link above. If you have any login issues, speak to the library staff or your English teacher.
You can read physical books from the school library, borrow ebooks via the LSA ePlatform, or use the AR Bookfinder to scope out titles before you borrow.
Aim for consistency: 20–30 minutes of reading most days builds fluency faster than one long session.
Pick a mix: Try fiction and non-fiction. If you enjoy a subject, you’ll read more.
Use AR Bookfinder: Check if a title has a quiz and how many points it’s worth before you start.
Re-takes: If you didn’t do well, read again and try to improve — it’s a good learning tool.
Use audio & ebook features: If you struggle with print, the ePlatform’s audio can help with vocabulary and comprehension.
How AR helps your learning
Improves comprehension: Quizzes focus on understanding, not just memory.
Tracks progress: Teachers and students can see growth over time — helpful for target setting and revision.
Boosts vocabulary: Reading widely exposes you to new words used in context.
Supports House competitions: Points feed into house totals — your reading can directly help your House win rewards.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
Q: I can’t find a quiz for a book I want.
A: Try AR Bookfinder. If it still doesn’t show a quiz, ask the librarian — they can suggest similar quizable books.
Q: How many quizzes should I do each week?
A: There’s no single rule — aim for at least one short quiz a week in tutor time or at home; the more you read, the better.
Q: What if I forget my login?
A: Contact the library team or your English teacher and they’ll reset it for you.
Q: Do quizzes count for homework?
A: Teachers may set reading targets as part of homework. Check with your English or tutor.
Support for parents and carers
Use AR Home Connect to monitor your child’s quiz scores, reading habits and targets. It’s an easy way for parents to see progress and celebrate success at home. For guidance on setting reading routines, contact the school library.
LSA e‑Platform — E‑books & Audiobooks
Borrow, read and listen — anytime, anywhere.
Our e‑Platform gives students instant access to a wide selection of ebooks and audiobooks you can read in your browser or in the app. It’s perfect for revision, reading for pleasure and catching up on class reading without having to visit the library.
The e‑Platform is our school’s digital library where students can borrow electronic books (ebooks) and audiobooks. Titles can be read in a web browser or in the e‑Platform app on phones, tablets and some laptops — there’s no waiting for a physical copy and many titles allow immediate borrowing.
The service is available to all LSA students and complements the physical school library and Accelerated Reader quizzes.
How to get started
Open the link above or search for ‘LSA e‑Platform’.
Sign in using your LSA username and password (if prompted, choose the school from the list).
Browse or search by title, author, subject or Year group lists.
Borrow a title — it will download to your device or open in the browser.
Return automatically at the end of the loan period or return early from your loans page.
If you have trouble signing in, speak to a member of the library team or your English teacher.
Features students will find useful
Read in your browser: No app needed — open books on any school or home device.
Offline reading: Download books to the app to read without internet.
Audiobooks: Listen on the go — useful for long journeys or to support reading confidence.
Adjustable text: Change font size and screen brightness for easier reading.
Bookmarks & notes: Mark important pages and save notes for revision.
Search inside the book: Quickly find keywords, chapter titles or quotes for homework.
Where e‑Platform helps your learning
Revision made easy: Borrow multiple titles on the same topic without waiting for physical copies.
Accessible reading: Use audio and adjustable text to support different learning needs.
Works with AR: If a title has an AR quiz, you can read the ebook and then take the quiz in Accelerated Reader.
Saves time: No need to travel to the library — borrow instantly for homework or catch‑up reading.
Tips for students
Try the audio version if you’re struggling with a long text — listening and following the text at the same time helps comprehension.
Use bookmarks to collect useful quotes or pages for coursework.
Keep loans organised: Return titles you’re finished with so others can borrow them.
Year group lists: Check the school’s recommended lists for Year‑group reading or curriculum titles.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
Q: Can I download books to my tablet or phone?
A: Yes — download the e‑Platform app and sign in to keep titles for offline reading.
Q: How long can I borrow a book?
A: Loan periods vary by title — check the loans page in the app or the book details. Books will return automatically when the loan ends.
Q: What if a book I want is already on loan?
A: Place a hold or reserve it — you’ll be emailed (or notified in the app) when it’s available.
Q: Can parents/carers use the service?
A: Parents can use some school e‑platforms depending on licensing — contact the library for access details.
Support for parents and carers
Encourage reading by asking your child to show you the app and the books they’re enjoying. If you’d like help setting up the app or borrowing for your child, contact the library and we’ll arrange guidance.
Library Catalogue (Accessit) — LSA
Find it, reserve it, read it — everything we own in one place.
Our library catalogue shows every book, magazine and resource held in the school library. Use it to check availability, find the exact shelf location, and reserve items before you visit. It’s the quickest way to see what we have for coursework, wider reading and interests.
The Accessit catalogue lists all physical and some digital resources owned by Lytham St Annes High School. Each item page shows the title, author, cover, a short description, where the item is shelved, whether it’s available or on loan, and (where relevant) subject tags or reading lists.
It’s the first place to check before you come to the library — save time and reserve items so they’re ready for collection.
How to use the catalogue
Open the link above or search for ‘LSA library catalogue’ on the school site.
Search by title, author, subject, keyword or ISBN. Use the filters to narrow by Year group, format (book, magazine), or availability.
Click an item to view details — you’ll see its shelf location (call number), availability and a brief summary.
Reserve or request items that are on loan using the ‘Reserve’ button — the library will hold it for you when it’s returned.
Log in to your account (if required) to view current loans, due dates and to renew items where allowed.
If you can’t find a title, try alternative keywords (shorter phrases often work best) or contact the library team for help.
Shelf location and call numbers: See exactly where to find a book in the library before you visit.
Reserve items: Put a hold on books that are currently on loan so they’re saved for you when returned.
My Account: Check what you’ve borrowed, due dates and any fines, and renew eligible items.
Reading lists & tags: Browse Year‑group lists, subject lists and staff‑curated recommendations for quick choices.
How the catalogue helps with study
Plan coursework: Check availability of textbooks and supporting reads before an assignment deadline.
Save time: Reserve items to collect during break or after school — no wasted trips.
Prepare reading lists: Use saved items to build bibliographies or create a personal reading queue.
Tips for students
Use simple keywords: Short searches (two or three words) often return better results than very long queries.
Check subject tags: If you’re researching a topic, subject tags will pull together related titles.
Reserve early for coursework: Popular titles for GCSE/A‑level revision can be in demand — reserve early.
Note call numbers: Write the call number down to find the book quickly on the shelf.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
Q: I can’t find a book in the catalogue but I’ve seen it on the shelf.
A: Tell the librarian — sometimes new or donated items need to be catalogued.
Q: How do I reserve a book?
A: Click the ‘Reserve’ button on the item page and follow the prompts. If you’re unsure, ask in the library and we’ll reserve it for you.
Q: Can I renew my loan online?
A: Log in to ‘My Account’ to renew eligible items. Some items (short loans or items on hold for others) cannot be renewed.
Q: How do I request the library to buy a book?
A: Use the ‘Suggest a purchase’ form in the catalogue or speak to library staff with the title and reason for request.
Q: Does the catalogue show digital titles?
A: Some digital resources and links to our ePlatform are included. For the full ebook collection, check the LSA e‑Platform.
Support for parents and carers
Parents can use the catalogue with their child to explore recommended reading lists and see what learning resources are available. If you need help accessing the catalogue from home, contact the library and we’ll provide guidance.
Literature Festival
Every year, we celebrate a love of reading and writing through our Literature Festival. The festival brings authors and poets into school to perform, create with, and inspire our pupils. Workshops, talks and performances give students the chance to explore stories in new ways, discover the power of words, and even try their hand at writing themselves.
As part of the festival, visiting writers also help to judge competitions that run across school, encouraging creativity and celebrating the talents of our pupils. Importantly, the festival links closely with our Form Time Reading programme, giving students the exciting opportunity to meet some of the authors whose books they have studied and enjoyed.
In the past five years, we have welcomed a wide range of acclaimed authors and poets, including:
Stephen Kelman (Pigeon English)
Ruth Cockburn (published poet)
Anthony McGowan (The Knife That Killed Me, The Truth of Things)
Julian Sedgwick (Tsunami Girl)
Melvin Burgess (Billy Elliot)
Bali Rae (Now or Never)
Phil Earle (When the Sky Falls)
Sarah Crossan (Moonrise)
M.A. Griffin (Poison Boy)
The Literature Festival is a highlight of our school year, giving pupils the chance to engage directly with professional writers, broaden their cultural horizons, and deepen their enjoyment of reading.
Form Time Reading
Each week, we read three times in form. We ensure all students get the opportunity to meet some of the authors of the books we read in form time. Form Time Reading gives our pupils the chance to develop life-long literacy skills as well as giving them opportunities to learn about different cultures and take part in important life discussions.
Year 7
A Long Walk to Water – Linda Sue Park
What is it about?
The story is a dual narrative. Salva’s story begins in 1985 when war forces him to leave his home and family. Meanwhile, Nya’s story begins in 2008 – she has a long walk to gather water. As the book progresses, we follow both Nya and Salva’s struggle. Eventually Salva goes to America where he is educated. He vows to return home and bring fresh drinking water to his village – at this point his and Nya’s story start to cross.
What our pupils think:
“I liked how they travelled around and how it was quite adventurous. For example, they had to swim through crocodile-infested water. Even though a lot of people died, I thought it was a great book.” — Annie, year 7
“I liked how there are lots of twists in it.” — Mayland, year 7
I Am The Minotaur – Anthony McGowan
What is it about?
I Am the Minotaur is about a young boy, Matthew. Matthew is somewhat of a social outcast at school. He tries to keep himself unnoticed. His mother is struggling with her mental health, and Matthew is struggling to balance caring for his mother and school work. He has a crush on Ari. Ari has her bicycle stolen and Matthew devises a plan to get it back for her. However, this is misconstrued, and Matthew ends up becoming the main suspect of the theft. As the novel reaches its climax, Matthew strikes up a friendship with Ari; he starts to understand where he fits in socially at school and his mum’s health starts to improve.
What our pupils think:
“I think the book reflects on people who are struggling at school. I also think it’s relatable because the characters do struggle. I would recommend this book to anyone.” — Harrison, year 7
“I liked this book because it was interesting to find out about a person’s personal background. It also made me feel sympathy because some people don’t understand what is going on with a person just by looking at them. I think this book is really good.” — Maisie, year 7
“I liked I Am The Minotaur because it is relatable. One reason I think this is because it shows the struggles of high school. It also shows the struggles some people may have at home like being a young carer.” — Felicity, year 7
When the Sky Falls – Phil Earle
What is it about?
Whilst most children are moving to the countryside during the Blitz, Joseph is forced to move to London to live with Mrs F. He learns that she is a zookeeper. During each bombing raid, she must go to the zoo and point her rifle at a huge gorilla, Adonis, in case the cage is destroyed in a blast and the gorilla escapes. At first, Joseph and Mrs F have a difficult and distant relationship, but as the novel goes on Joseph’s love for Adonis brings the couple closer together. In one another, they find the family they both desperately need and crave. Mrs F knows that eventually the gorilla will be forced to leave the zoo, but she fights with all her will to ensure Adonis is kept safe and well.
What our pupils think:
“When the Sky Falls is one of the best books I have read in school. It teaches us that life can be hard, but we can carry on and get better. The bond between Joseph and Mrs F slowly gets better and they learn to like each other.” — Megan, Year 7
“In form, we have been reading When the Sky Falls. I enjoy form time reading, because when we start everybody goes really quiet.” — Huey, Year 7
“The part I enjoyed most from form time reading was when Joseph was meeting Adonis for the first time. It was a detailed description and they were clearly a duo that would be together for the whole story.” — Emma, year 7
Year 8
Face – Benjamin Zephaniah
What is it about?
Martin lives in East Ham in London, a multicultural society. He is part of a gang of three, is an excellent gymnast and dancer, and at the start of the novel he is going out with Natalie. One night they go to a club in London where he dances to rap music and amazes the whole crowd. On the way home, he is picked up by Pete Mosley. He doesn’t know that the car is stolen. Following a chase from the police, there is a car crash which leaves Pete dead and Martin with life-changing injuries. His face is damaged beyond recognition. As Martin recovers, his relationships with former friends and Natalie start to change as he starts to understand what—and who—is important in his life.
The Truth of Things – Anthony McGowan
What is it about? Brock is about two brothers struggling with poverty. They have an absent mother and a father struggling to cope. One day they witness the local bullies badger baiting. As a result, one of the bully’s dogs is severely injured and a small badger cub is left alone. Kenny and Nicky rescue the badger and the dog. As they look after the dog, their father undergoes a transformation and starts to piece his life back together.
Year 9
Moonrise – Sarah Crossan
What is it about?
The story follows Joe Moon and his final moments with his older brother, Ed. Ed has been wrongly convicted of the murder of a police officer and is on death row. Joe’s father is dead and his alcoholic mother leaves shortly after Ed’s arrest. Joe was just seven when his brother was arrested, but now—at the age of 17—he meets his brother for the first time in years. It is a matter of months before his brother is due to be executed. Through Joe’s childhood memories, we see just how caring Ed is—he has been a father as well as a brother to Joe. Whilst visiting his brother each day in prison, Joe also starts to date Nell, whose father is the prison warden.
The Trap – Alan Gibbons
What is it about?
The story involves the Sarwar family. The eldest son, Majid, has been groomed by a terror cell leader called Bashir. Majid goes to Syria and narrowly escapes death when a rocket explodes near him. Once in Syria, Majid realises that Bashir’s promises and preachings are a lie and he vows to return to England to help the MI5 catch Bashir and stop Bashir’s terrorist attack on London. Meanwhile, his parents try to protect his younger siblings, Amir and Nasima, by moving to avoid association with Majid. Their anonymity is compromised when Amir is arrested at a rally opposing a far-right organisation—England Awakes.
The Importance of Reading at LSA
At LSA, we believe that reading is the gateway to success—both academically and in life. Strong reading skills unlock access to the curriculum, deepen understanding, and foster curiosity and confidence in every subject. As supported by national research (EEF and Alex Quigley’s Closing the Reading Gap), reading is a key driver of achievement and inclusion, especially for pupils who are disadvantaged, have SEND, or speak English as an additional language.
We are committed to a whole-school approach to reading because we know that every teacher is a teacher of reading. Our aim is for all students to become fluent, confident readers who can think critically, understand deeply, and thrive independently.
How We Read at LSA
Form Time Reading (3x per week): All students in Years 7,8, 9 read high-quality texts, covering at least two books per year, to develop fluency, vocabulary, and a love of reading. Year 10 students will read one form reader.
Disciplinary Reading in Lessons: Students learn to ‘read like a historian, scientist or artist’, helping them access and understand subject-specific language and texts.
Reciprocal Reading Strategies: Used across subjects to explicitly teach comprehension through prediction, clarification, questioning, and summarising.
Accelerated Reader (Years 7 & 8): A tailored reading programme supported by one reading lesson per fortnight to build reading engagement, comprehension, and motivation.
Targeted Reading Interventions: Students below age expectations receive bespoke support through phonics, guided reading, and comprehension strategies to close the reading gap.
At LSA, reading is more than a skill—it’s a whole-school priority that empowers every learner to fulfil their potential.
A reading-programme portal where you can find your ZPD (reading range), take quizzes and earn points for books you’ve read. Students: log in with your school details, search for the book title after you finish reading and take the quiz to track progress and points for form/house competitions.
Our school e-library — borrow and read ebooks and audiobooks in your browser or the app anytime. Students: sign in with your LSA account to borrow titles, read on any device, change text size or use audio for easier reading — ideal for holidays, revision and reading at home.
Search everything we have in the school library: books, location on the shelf, and whether an item is available. Students: use it to find specific books, check availability before you come to the library, and (where available) reserve items for collection.
A family-facing view of your Accelerated Reader progress — good for checking your quiz scores, points and reading targets. Students: link your account to show parents/carers how you’re doing; it’s useful for tracking targets between termly reports.
A searchable database that tells you whether a book has an AR quiz, its level and how many points it’s worth. Students: use it to pick books at the right challenge level (ZPD) or to find popular quizable titles for extra points.
Activities, tips and short online resources designed to help young people enjoy reading and build reading habits. Students: try the Zone In games and challenges for quick reading practice, ideas for book choices, and useful tips on reading for pleasure or revision.
A newspaper written especially for children and young people with current-affairs articles you can understand and discuss. Students: read short, age-appropriate news stories for form time, English lessons or homework to improve vocabulary, comprehension and discussion points for class debates.
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