A Guide for Parents

What is Accelerated Reader?

Accelerated Reader is an online reading programme designed to support and challenge pupils by providing an individualised reading pathway based on their reading ability. The programme ensures that every pupil reads texts that are appropriately matched to their reading age, helping them to develop confidence, fluency and comprehension.

Why do we use this reading programme?

Numerous studies have shown a clear link between reading age and GCSE outcomes across all subjects. Strong reading skills underpin success not only in English, but across the entire curriculum. For this reason, reading is taken extremely seriously at Chulmleigh College, and pupils are given dedicated class time and homework time for independent reading.

All pupils are required to sit both the English Language and English Literature GCSE. It is therefore essential that they are fully prepared for the rigours of these demanding examinations. Developing confident, independent readers is central to this preparation, and there is no more effective way of teaching and monitoring pupils’ reading than through the Accelerated Reader programme.

Accelerated Reader is an excellent way of preparing pupils in Key Stage Three for the demands of GCSE study. All KS3 pupils are expected to read for a minimum of twenty minutes each day as part of their homework. However, we recognise that pupils arrive at secondary school with varying levels of reading confidence and ability.

For this reason, Accelerated Reader is carefully differentiated according to reading age rather than chronological age. Pupils with a higher reading age are expected to read more challenging and longer texts, while pupils with a lower reading age are given expectations that are appropriate to their current level. This ensures that all pupils are supported, challenged and able to make progress without feeling overwhelmed.

For information on how the programme works, please look at the attachment below.

For accessing Accelerated Reader at home please use this link.