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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.
