Reading at the Skegness Academy

At the Skegness Academy, reading is at the heart of everything we do; we are a reading school.

We recognise reading, and the love of independent reading for pleasure, as being at the core of academic success across all subjects, and we work hard to ensure that all of our students receive an education that is embedded into a culture of reading. 

The heart of our reading mission is the newly refurbished SKA Library, which re-opened in October 2022. From this space, all staff and students are able to borrow books, seek expert guidance on challenging their independent reading choices, and take part in the various lunchtime clubs that are offered by staff. Our SKA Reading Lists are always available to aid students, and their families, in selecting suitably challenging reading material. We have a fully formed library ambassador team, who with alongside staff to ensure all students have the best library experience.

The library also houses our incredible SKA Book Vending Machine, from which students can earn books that are theirs to keep via our Reading Rewards Programme.

In KS3, three tutor periods per week, our students have 20 minutes of ‘Register and Read’, wherein students listen and follow as their form tutors read aloud. The same text is read by the entire year group, ensuring a shared reading experience amongst peers, and promoting subsequent conversations about these texts.

At key points throughout the year, all students have their reading ages measured using the National Group Reading Test (NGRT), ensuring that all staff are equipped with the information required to teach reading to all.

In Year 7 and 8, our students who require rapid acceleration of their reading progress will be placement tested for our exciting new Lexia Power Up programme. Alongside this intervention, we also use Read Write Inc.’s Fresh Start programme and Reading Eggs delivered by our SEND department.

Finally, reading assumes a key position in all subject lessons, with each subject promoting how to “read like a…[subject specialist]” via posters that adorn the entrance to each classroom.