Literacy and Reading

LAT Creative Writing Competition

Congratulations to Esme (Year 8) and Oliwia (Year 11), the winners of the LAT Creative Writing Competition! This is a fantastic achievement and highlights their talent and dedication to creative writing. 

We also had three runners up: Precious (Year 10), Lance (Year 7) and Faith (Year 7)

Creative writing competitions aimed to encourage young people to express themselves through storytelling, poetry, and other forms. Such competitions provide an excellent platform for students to showcase their imagination and develop their writing skills. We are so proud of all the students that entered and appreciate all of their hard work!

Sparx Reader as a GCSE Revision Tool at Sir Geoffrey Leigh Academy

While Sparx Reader's primary objective is literacy development, its features make it a potent, albeit indirect, GCSE revision tool for Sir Geoffrey Leigh Academy students, particularly for subjects like English Language and Literature, History, Geography, and Science, where strong reading and comprehension skills are fundamental.

Enhancing Core Revision Skills

• Reading Comprehension: GCSE exams in many subjects require students to interpret and analyse complex texts. Sparx Reader's embedded questions train students to read for understanding, identify key information, and infer meaning – all crucial skills for tackling exam papers.

• Vocabulary Development: A robust vocabulary is essential for understanding exam questions and expressing answers effectively. The platform's built-in definitions and daily vocabulary puzzles help students expand their word knowledge, which directly benefits their ability to comprehend subject-specific terminology in GCSE content.

• Sustained Focus and Reading Stamina: GCSE revision often involves reading lengthy texts, mark schemes, and exemplars. Regular use of Sparx Reader fosters the habit of sustained, focused reading, which can improve students' ability to concentrate during extended revision sessions and exams.

• Active Reading Strategies: The interactive nature of Sparx Reader, with its frequent comprehension checks, encourages active reading rather than passive skimming. This habit of actively engaging with text is vital for effective revision, ensuring students are processing and retaining information.

KS3 Sparx Reader

We are so thrilled to have so many students reaching significant milestones in their Sparx Reader English homework. The children have loved completing this and we look forward to carrying it on in the next academic year.

Author:

Mrs Bonthron - Assistant Head of Seacole College