Reading

At Kingsley Academy, we believe that reading is the foundation for all learning and personal growth. Whether it’s fiction or nonfiction, reading opens doors to new worlds, ideas, and perspectives, helping our students to develop critical thinking, creativity and empathy.

We are committed to promoting a love for reading among our students. Through our engaging reading programmes, well-stocked library, library lessons, DEAR time and regular reading challenges, we create opportunities for students to explore books that captivate their interests and inspire a love of reading.

Our English curriculum is designed to inspire an appreciation for literature while developing both critical reading and writing skills. Across Key Stage 3 students explore a range of contemporary and classic texts including Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet and A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Sherlock Holmes and modern works like Noughts and Crosses.

In Key Stage 4, students explore a wide range of literature that spans different periods and genres. They delve into Shakespeare’s Macbeth, explore the themes and characters of A Christmas Carol, and analyse the social commentary in An Inspector Calls.

At Key Stage 5, students engage with more complex literary works, delving into texts like Othello, The Colour Purple, Frankenstein, and A Streetcar Named Desire. This rich and varied curriculum equips students with the ability to critique literature and sharpen their understanding of the world, preparing them for further education and beyond. 

We are thrilled to have recently introduced an exciting new reading programme designed to support every student from Year 7 to Sixth Form. Every Thursday during tutor time, students receive bespoke reading lessons tailored to their individual challenge points, based on their reading ages. This targeted approach ensures that each student is given the right level of support, whether through phonics sessions for developing readers or advanced mastery sessions for students to learn how to take Cornell notes and engage in independent research. Our programme nurtures a love for reading while equipping students with critical literacy skills that will benefit them throughout their academic journey.

We are passionate about fostering a love for reading! Our biweekly library lessons for Key Stage 3 provide students with dedicated time to explore our well-stocked library, where they can browse, borrow and return books. These sessions are more than just reading periods; students also participate in reading challenges designed for specific challenge points and have the opportunity to earn rewards for their progress. The library also serves as a quiet, focused study area where students can work on assignments and develop research skills.