Sparx Reader: Reading & Homework Platform

 

Sparx Reader: Reading & Homework Platform

Dear Parent/Carer

I am writing to inform you of a new online reading platform that will be used to support your child’s reading and literacy skills. At Sir Thomas Boteler Church of England High School, we recognise that learning is taught through language. Therefore, we believe Sparx Reader will provide significant benefits to students as it uses an individual reading test and AI to customise books recommended to your child. The test is unique to each child and is based upon their individual strengths, thus providing a fully individualised learning experience.

All students in Year 7 – 10 students will be introduced to Sparx Reader during assembly and by their English teacher. All students in Year 7 – 10 will complete a reading test in September and again in the summer to track their reading progress. From this point, your child will be recommended texts by the platform and will be expected to complete 30-minutes of meaningful reading per week as homework. Sparx Reader is an online platform, meaning that all books can be accessed through a device such as mobile phone, tablet or laptop.

Key Stage 3

Sparx Reader will replace all other English homework for Key Stage 3, except during the Working At assessment window where students will be expected to complete independent revision. Students in Year 7 to 9 will also receive a fortnightly Sparx Reader session in the library built into the English curriculum.

Year 10

Sparx Reader will replace all other English homework in most instances; however, this will be more bespoke at Year 10 due to the demand of the GCSE syllabus. Sparx Reader does provide GCSE set texts on the platform, therefore in some instances your child may be requested to read the text they are studying for the GCSE English literature as opposed to a fiction book of their own choice.

Whole School Support

Sparx Reader is a whole school reading initiative. Therefore, once a fortnight, your child’ check in with your child to ensure that they are keeping up to date with their reading homework and support your child in removing any barriers that may have emerged. In addition, where your child is exceeding expectations, this will be celebrated through House Points, Head of Year Rewards assemblies and Headteacher awards.

The first Sparx Reader homework will go live on 21st September for all students in Year 7 – 10. This will provide ample time for students to log in for the first time and complete their reading test with their English teacher.

How can I support at home?

You will receive emails letting you know if your child has not completed their homework. This feature is automatic and will ensure that you are kept informed of their engagement. Students are expected to complete their Sparx Reader homework on a weekly cycle and it would be greatly appreciated if you could continue to support them to get into good habits in this regard. We will also be holding a parent form on 15th October at 5pm in the library, where you can learn more about Sparx Reader, how to support reading at home and to see what our school library has to offer.

Please see the below instructions on how to access the platform:

  • Go to the Sparx Reader website (sparxreader.com)
  • Choose student login from the menu in the top right-hand corner of the webpage
  • Input the name of our school Sir Thomas Boteler Church of England High School
  • Input your child’s username and password (School Outlook log in)

Why are we doing this?

Data collated by Sparx Reader demonstrates that students who complete 30-minutes of careful reading during each term time week make significant progress in their reading age. This is on average an increase of 1.82 years.

As you may be aware, reading has faced declining enjoyment over the past 20 years, with only 32.7% of children and young people (aged 8–18) saying they enjoy reading in their spare time, the lowest level since 2005. Fewer than 1 in 5 (18.7%) children aged 8–18 read daily, a nearly 20 percentage point drop since 2005. Reading for pleasure is also higher in girls (39%) than boys (25%) aged 8-18.

At Sir Thomas Boteler Church of England High School, we believe that every child, regardless of background deserves to engage in meaningful reading and access the amazing skills, enjoyment and knowledge that reading enables.

Did you know?

  • Reading for pleasure can help grow empathy
  • A love of reading can build a child’s confidence
  • Reading for enjoyment can spark imagination
  • Reading can expand horizons
  • Reading for pleasure can support your child’s learning

For further information on the benefits of reading, please see below:

If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact me.

Yours faithfully

Miss E Ward

Teacher of English & Leader of Whole School Literacy