Reading with the tutor

In this section you will learn about:


What is the ‘DRIVE’ tutor reading programme?

The DRIVE programme is a celebration of a range of novels. Twice a week, in afternoon tutor time, the class tutor reads to the tutor group. Each student has a copy of the novel to read along.


The key is that ONLY the tutor is expected to read. Whilst some students may ask to support the reading, students are only expected to listen, and follow the story on the page.


This means that each student will read at least two novels a year, and 9 novels across their time at school. These novels will be a mixture of fiction, non-fiction, popular novels and classics.


Drive stands for:

Discuss / Recap / Immerse / Vocab / Express

These are the key outcomes we hope for in each lesson.



What are the benefits of being read to?

Reading to students shows that we value novels, and believe it is time well spent. It also models to students how to read a novel, and deal with some of the more tricky vocabulary, or work out a meaning in a story.


It is a different activity to reading in English or other lessons, as students can engage for enjoyment, ‘immersing’ themselves in the story, and ‘expressing’ their thoughts as they would in a book club. Sharing a story as a group regularly is also a valuable bonding activity for the tutor group.