A NEW reading scheme has been introduced to Year 7 students at Tavistock College this term.

The college has introduced Accelerated Reader to all Year 7 students — a considerable investment of resources, time and money to ensure literacy, and in particular reading for pleasure, is at the forefront of the school curriculum.

Accelerated Reader promotes reading for pleasure and encourages students to use reading to learn by motivating all ages and abilities to read more and better books, directing their selections and encouraging ongoing reading practice, raising literary standards at all abilities and developing a lifelong love of reading.

Every student has undertaken initial screening to assess their current reading capabilities so that they are directed to the correct books. Each student is also set an individual points target for each term.

All Year 7 students read during tutor time, in English lessons and are encouraged to use the library independently throughout the school day, but now there is an added incentive.

For every book read under the Accelerated Reader scheme, students take an online quiz to check their understanding and enjoyment of the book, and successful completion of the quiz earns them points to put towards prizes.

The college is keen for parents to get involved, and there is a section on the website which enables them to see the books their child has read and is currently reading, along with information about how well they have done on the quizzes.

While it is currently only Year 7 students who are using Accelerated Reader, the college will be rolling the scheme out to all key stage three students over the next two years.