World Book Day: celebrating words at Dallam
It’s World Book Day today, and our celebrations include a Horrible Histories-themed lunch, staff dressed as book characters, and students taking part in a “shelfie competition” challenge, using clues from five carefully selected titles to guess the member of staff behind them. Students will also receive a voucher, which entitles them to a free book from our Library or £1 off a book from a bookshop.
World Book Day also gives us the perfect opportunity to highlight our “Reading is Reading” initiative, a whole-school celebration of the many ways our students engage with words. From novels and graphic texts to blogs, video game narratives, match reports, scripts and lyrics, even revision guides, subtitles and audiobooks, reading is happening everywhere. And every time students engage with language, they are strengthening their vocabulary, imagination, confidence, and critical thinking.
We’re also looking forward to two author visits this month: on Tuesday, 10th March, Henry Vyner-Brooks will meet Year 10, and on Thursday, 12th March, Chris Bradford will meet Years 7, 8, and 9. And, as part of the National Year of Reading, our teachers are sharing six to eight books they love.
All of this helps to embed literacy and strengthen learning across every subject. Our most recent assessment data shows that, on average, students in every year group are performing above the national benchmark for reading. Key Stage 3 is a particular strength, with Year 8 and Year 9 performing especially well. And in the Sixth Form, Year 12 students are performing very strongly, with reading outcomes well above national expectations. This reflects the cumulative impact of reading development across the school.
In other year groups, outcomes remain securely in line with, and in many cases above, national averages. We’re continuing to focus on stretching high attainers even further while ensuring that those who need additional support receive it quickly and effectively. Accelerated Reader encourages independent reading and carefully tracks progress. LEAP, led by our librarian, strengthens phonics foundations where needed. BEDROCK supports vocabulary development at Key Stage 4 and 5, while STEP enables Sixth Form students to act as reading buddies for younger pupils, modelling leadership as well as literacy.
Thanks must also go to the PTA. Thanks to their funding, students will also benefit from Audible subscriptions and an expanded range of e-books, ensuring even more inclusive access to reading here in school.
Enjoy World Book Day!
