Trinity School Literacy

Literacy skills are essential for all pupils. We believe that a quality Literacy program should develop children’s love of reading, writing and discussion. Literacy skills are key not only to the academic success of our pupils across their curriculum, but more importantly to their future successes beyond education and into adult life. Additionally, creating opportunities to read and write creatively for pleasure can empower students to explore their own identity and place in the world, improve their self-esteem and impact positively on mental well-being and behaviour.

DEAR Overview

DEAR is a regular time set aside in the classroom schedule for both students and teachers to simply ‘drop everything and read’. Repetition of DEAR across a school week will not only promote the importance of reading but also highlight that it is an essential life skill, not just a requirement of English lessons. DEAR tends to be scheduled at the same time each day or week, so that students recognise that reading is a priority and can also look forward to reading for pleasure. DEAR allows students to take ownership of developing this essential skill through reading something of their own choosing; ultimately, it has the capacity to accommodate a variety of interests and abilities as students must select books themselves.

Overview of Group DEAR KS4

DEAR and Group DEAR Overview

Overview of Group DEAR KS3

Further Information

Below is a list of organisations and websites where you can gather more information about the importance of reading and how you can best support reading with your child.

DfE’s Research evidence on reading for pleasure.

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/research-evidence-on-reading-for-pleasure

An overview of how and why children read for pleasure and evidence for how to promote it.

Reluctant readers.

https://home.oxfordowl.co.uk/reading/reluctant-readers/

From ‘thinking outside the bookbag’ to reading for a purpose, children’s author, and mum of three Isabel Thomas shares some great advice on helping reluctant readers get excited about books.