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Reading and Spoken Language
At Uplands we recognise that reading accurately and fluently with good comprehension skills is vital for students’ progress across the curriculum. Students read in all their subjects and are supported by reading strategies in every lesson. Key vocabulary underpinning each lesson is highlighted, explained and practiced by students with a simple mantra of ‘See it, Say it, Use it’. All teachers are trained to be proactive in supporting students with reading by reading longer texts aloud to model both fluency and prosody. A mixture of bespoke work booklets and assistive technology is used so that students can follow what they are reading with teachers ensuring that essential information is chunked into manageable sections.
Students who struggle with decoding, fluency and comprehension, once identified, are supported to catch up with a bespoke programme of intervention to address their specific reading need. The students receive regular intervention, either in a small group or as an individual, with one of our expert English teachers which is then supported by our student reading mentor programme. At Uplands, we carefully balance out of class intervention for struggling readers with good attendance to timetabled lessons, so all our students benefit from the vital language development that takes place in the classroom.
Reading for pleasure is a focus for our students at Uplands and all students are encouraged to read regularly. Students at KS3 benefit from reading a wide range of fiction in their English lessons and library lessons. This is supplemented by dedicated reading weeks built into the curriculum where the deliberate focus is on reading for pleasure. At KS4, we use our English Language lessons to introduce our students to a wide range of literature to broaden their experience beyond the set GCSE Literature texts. All students have weekly reading during form time where our English department select and record challenging fiction and non-fiction extracts to model expert prosody and to prompt class discussion. Students are expected to read at home daily and this is monitored by the programme ‘Track My Read’. This is supported by the online vocabulary programme, Bedrock, which focuses on building students’ vocabulary and improving their comprehension skills.
Spoken Language
At Uplands, we believe that the ability for students to speak clearly and confidently, in order to articulate their ideas and collaborate with others, is vital to life beyond school. Purposeful and structured talk though debate and discussion in lessons is encouraged. Teachers highlight key vocabulary in every lesson and give students opportunities to practice using sophisticated language. Students are taught the core skills of speaking using an audible volume and looking at the person they are speaking to. Teacher questioning in all lessons allows students to improve their oracy skills as they are encouraged to justify their ideas with detailed spoken responses. In English lessons, spoken language is planned into the curriculum with opportunities to give formal presentations, recitals, engage in whole class debates and take part in speaking competitions.
English Department Fiction Reading Books
Events and Activities
The school takes part in a number of exciting events and activities to promote reading and improve levels of oracy. This includes the Literacy Trust’s Bookbuzz for Years 7 and 8; the South East Book Awards, our own Uplands' Book Day as part of World Book Day celebrations, and visits from authors. We also run an immensely successful speech competition in Year 8, a poetry competition in Year 7, and will be entering the national KS3 Magistrates Mock Trial competition. New clubs for Term 5 include a RAP poetry club and a creative reading and writing club.
Book recommendations
This term’s book recommendation for KS4 is the edgy and contemporary read The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas.
In a Nutshell: Fighting for Justice | Black Lives Matter | Stunning, vital wake-up call of a novel about racism, social inequality and not giving up told through the eyes of an incredible, unforgettable sixteen-year-old.
Sixteen-year-old Starr lives in two worlds: the poor neighbourhood where she was born and raised and her posh high school in the suburbs. The uneasy balance between them is shattered when Starr is the only witness to the fatal shooting of her unarmed best friend, Khalil, by a police officer. Now what Starr says could destroy her community. It could also get her killed. Inspired by the Black Lives Matter movement, this is a powerful and gripping novel about one girl's struggle for justice.
The term’s book recommendation for KS3 is Voyage of the Sparrowhawk by Natasha Farrant.
In a nutshell: A thrilling roller-coaster of an adventure full of emotion and heart. Winner of the Costa Children's Book Award 2020.
In the aftermath of World War One, everyone is trying to rebuild their lives. If Ben is to avoid being sent back to the orphanage, he needs to find his brother Sam, wounded in action and is now missing. Lotti's horrible aunt and uncle want to send her away to boarding-school (when she has just so successfully managed to get expelled from her last one!) And Clara, their young teacher, is waiting for news of her missing fiancé. Just as they think they've found their feet in the new order, disaster strikes, and Lotti and Ben must get away. And so they hatch a plan — to cross the Channel on Ben's narrow boat and find Sam. And there's something in France that Lotti is looking for, too...
Buffeted by storms, chased by the police, Lotti, Ben, Clara and a growing number of dogs set out on an epic journey, on the search for lost loved ones and a place to call home.
Pets As Therapy — Reading Dog
We are very fortunate to have Pets As Therapy (PAT) volunteer Jane Littlejohn and her PAT Dog Rinda visiting us weekly to support a small group of our students.
Most adults are apprehensive about speaking in public. It is very daunting. Young people are no different. Research shows that young people can become nervous and stressed when reading to others in a group. However, when a PAT Dog enters the group, they often become less stressed, less self-conscious and more confident as the dogs are non-judgemental. Before long the young people are starting to look forward to the reading experience as they are going to read to their new friend, the PAT Dog. PAT Dogs provide comfort, encourage positive social behaviours, enhance self-esteem, motivate speech and inspire young people to have fun. Students may be selected if they lack confidence or have difficulty with reading. The teacher chooses and provides appropriate books. The sessions for each young person are approximately 15 minutes long.