Library
At John Port Spencer Academy, we have always valued the importance of reading widely and encourage all of our students to read widely and regularly. We are lucky to have a well stocked library which students can access a range of fiction and non-fiction texts from. Research has shown that sustained reading every day can improve a child’s reading age, concentration and reduce stress. Through reading, we hope to enhance student learning throughout the school and give students a lifelong love of books and literature. We aim to give students a wide range of opportunities to gain pleasure, confidence and fluency in reading through our curriculum and through our school reading strategy.
Students can access the library before school from 8:00am, during breaks and lunchtimes and after school until 4:00pm. Students can borrow books for up to three weeks. They need to use their ID card to borrow books. We also run a click and collect service so students can order books they wish to borrow. The library click and collect service can be accessed using this link library.johnport.derbyshire.sch.uk. Books can be requested using the service, and then can be easily collected from the library.
Students in KS3 also have access to a digital library where they can choose and read books online. www.myon.co.uk.
Accelerated Reader
We are very pleased to inform you that we are now using Accelerated Reader to encourage, track and assess your child’s reading progress. Many of you may be familiar with this from your child’s primary school. Accelerated Reader is a reading scheme designed to create a culture of reading and to accelerate learning through reading. Every term each student takes a STAR test. This test looks at understanding, comprehension and vocabulary to determine a student’s reading level. The STAR test then generates a Reading Range. This is a range within which a student will be able to read, understand and be challenged in their reading.
Books have been analysed to find their book level. Students then pick a book that has a level within their reading range to read. Students are encouraged to do 30 minutes of reading a day, either in lesson time, form time and as homework. After finishing the book, the student takes a fun online quiz. This shows how well the student has read and understood the book. Staff monitor each student’s progress regularly to support them in their reading.
This Guide for Students will help you to get started.
Students in KS3 can log on to Accelerated Reader to take their AR quizzes using their school username and password by clicking here.
Students can also search for books to use with Accelerated Reader: www.arbookfind.co.uk
For more information, here is a guide for parents/guardians about Accelerated Reader: Guide to Accelerate Reader.
