Brooke Weston Academy held its third 'Reading Week' during Term 4, which was extra special as it coincided with the academy's 'World Book Day' and this year’s celebrations did not disappoint!

More students than ever got involved in the activities, which included tutor time poetry writing, a Readathon for our Year 7 and 8 students and lots of dressing up as inspirational characters from our favourite books. The enthusiasm extended beyond the students, with subject departments joining in the fun with themed dressing up. Some of the creative themes included literary monsters in English, Dahl-inspired characters in Humanities, Fairy Tales in Science, and a plethora of Mr. Men and Little Miss characters!

In ‘Reading Week’, each department dedicated specially selected texts that thread into their curriculum to read together, decode and offer insightful analysis. These texts also provided valuable opportunities for discussion. Students practiced their oracy skills through group discussion and by reading aloud, with special focus on expression and prosody; the intent at BWA is to build confidence in reading and sharing ideas with our students.

Staff comments on the power of oracy within their departments:

• Miss Liquorish in English: ‘Students feel empowered by having their voices heard - being able to confidently articulate with clarity.’
• Mrs Hegarty in Science: 'Developing the use of technical subject-specific vocabulary. Oracy is part of that ticket to life. Here and now it is about getting those grades. After BWA it is about communicating with others effectively.’
• Ms Northern in Humanities: ‘If students can verbalise their ideas, they become stronger, and they are more likely to confidently articulate this in written form.’
• Mr Gunstone in Maths: ‘Having to process the information in a different way in order to explain it to someone else can develop students’ own understanding.’

Literacy Coordinator, Mrs Fitzjohn said, ‘This year, with the introduction of Reading week, we were really able to really focus on the importance of cultural capital, building vocabulary and supporting student voice in our curriculums. On our WBD over 100 books were given out as prizes to our students to celebrate their reading and oracy efforts. World Book Day is the perfect opportunity to bring together our fantastic skills in reading and oracy, whilst also having lots of fun! We think reading is so important at BWA and hope you do too!’

See a selection of photos taken during WBD celebrations here.