February 27, 2025
Tracey Frohawk, the Trust Librarian for Learning Without Limits Academy Trust in Leicestershire has been instrumental in implementing Renaissance Solutions like Accelerated Reader, Star Reading and myON across three secondary schools and two primary schools. Her practices have significantly boosted literacy and fostered a love of reading among pupils. In this blog, we explore how Tracey has created a vibrant reading culture, engaged pupils through responsibility, and supported all reading levels.
Creating a vibrant reading culture
Creating a vibrant reading culture at Learning Without Limits Academy Trust has been a priority for Tracey Frohawk. The ‘What Kids Are Reading’ report’ by Renaissance highlights a 4.4% drop in books read by over 1.2 million pupils, with secondary pupils, especially Year 9s, reading at primary levels. The report suggests simple actions, like dedicating more school time to reading, to foster a love of reading and boost attainment. Tracey has revitalised the reading culture by introducing classic picture books like “Hairy Maclary” and “The Bear and the Piano” to Year 11 pupils, helping them reconnect with reading through nostalgic stories. A recent library revamp has further enhanced this effort, creating a welcoming space for pupils to explore and enjoy these books, reigniting their love of reading and inspiring them to choose books that are just right for their level.
Engaging pupils with digital tools
Tracey uses Renaissance’s myON to give pupils access to a vast library of digital books and news articles. This feature makes reading more accessible and enjoyable for students, as they can read new articles in their preferred language and even have books read to them. The integration of myON with Accelerated Reader allows pupils to seamlessly take quizzes on the books they read, further enriching their reading experience and boosting their confidence.
Empowering pupils through responsibility
Pupil librarians, guided by Tracey, play a crucial role in the reading culture at the Trust, and their involvement has been instrumental in promoting reading among their peers. By giving pupils responsibilities like managing the library, Tracey empowers them and fosters a sense of importance and pride. This approach transforms their attitudes towards the library and reading.
Supporting all reading levels
Using Star Reading data, Tracey and her team can identify pupils who need extra help and tailor interventions to suit them. Personalised interventions boost pupils’ confidence and skills, encouraging less able readers to try different books and genres. Star Reading, like other Renaissance tools, including Accelerated Reader and myON, supports every aspect of a pupil’s learning journey. These tools help with assessment, teaching, practice, and data, ensuring that each pupil’s unique needs are met.
Interactive and fun reading activities
Tracey makes reading fun with activities like reading characters’ voices in different accents and guessing games. These activities help pupils connect more deeply with the books they read. For example, reading “Hairy Maclary from Donaldson’s Dairy” in a Scottish accent has been a hit among pupils, making reading feel exciting and enjoyable. In another lesson, a pupil asked to read the book himself, using a Birmingham accent. It was brilliant to see how a small change to the reading approach, like bringing the characters to life with accents, impacted his enthusiasm and made reading feel exciting.
Some pupils who were previously less interested in reading now love being given the responsibility to hand out the “Hairy Maclary” books. They wave at Tracey through the library window, showing how much their attitude has changed. Reading together, doing AR quizzes, and discussing the results really makes a difference. These interactive activities not only make reading enjoyable but also contribute to ‘soft’ outcomes such as increased pupil confidence and enthusiasm for reading.
Building a reading community
Introducing Home Connect, a tool within Accelerated Reader, that connects the school and home to keep parents informed of their child’s progress, has been key to building a strong reading community. Research demonstrates the positive impact that parental engagement has on literacy outcomes with +4 months difference in Primary aged pupils and +2 months in secondary years. The minute Home Connect reaches parents and the children can share their reading progress, there is a noticeable buy-in from them. Collaboration among literacy leads, librarians and teachers has significantly improved pupils’ reading experiences.
Teacher training sessions on storytelling
Tracey also conducts teacher training sessions on storytelling, emphasising the importance of engaging pupils through captivating narratives. These sessions have been well-received and helped teachers incorporate storytelling techniques into their lessons, making reading more enjoyable for pupils. The focus on storytelling also contributes to ‘soft’ outcomes by boosting pupils’ engagement and enthusiasm for learning.
Addressing the decline in reading among pupils requires practical and effective strategies to reignite their passion for books. By introducing a variety of stories and voices, educators can create an environment where reading becomes a joyful and enriching experience. Tools like Accelerated Reader and myON are invaluable in this effort, offering a wide range of diverse, equitable, and inclusive fiction and non-fiction titles. These resources not only showcase the richness of children’s literature but also help in developing essential literacy skills.
Discover the latest pupil reading trends and find books that will instill a love of reading in your pupils. Check out the What Kids Are Reading 2024 report here: www.whatkidsarereading.co.uk