Reading At Home

At Newport High School, we ask all pupils to read for at least 20 minutes every day.

Reading is one of the strongest predictors of academic success. Pupils who read regularly develop stronger vocabulary, comprehension, knowledge and communication skills, all of which support achievement across the curriculum.

Research shows that pupils who read widely and frequently are more likely to achieve strong outcomes at GCSE. This is because reading helps pupils to access increasingly complex texts, examination questions, vocabulary and subject-specific knowledge in every subject.

Studies have also found that reading for pleasure can have a greater impact on educational success than socio-economic background. Simply put, developing a daily reading habit is one of the most powerful things young people can do to improve their future opportunities.

The 20-Minute Rule

Research from Renaissance Learning shows that pupils who:

• Read for at least 20 minutes each day
• Achieve 90% or higher comprehension on Accelerated Reader quizzes

make the greatest gains in reading achievement.

Reading for 20 minutes each day helps pupils develop:

• Vocabulary
• Reading fluency
• Comprehension
• Background knowledge
• Writing skills
• Academic confidence

These skills have a direct impact on GCSE performance across all subjects, not just English.

Our Reading Expectations

✅ Read for 20 minutes every day

✅ Bring reading wallets to and from school every day

✅ Complete Accelerated Reader quizzes regularly

✅ Complete STAR Reading Assessments each term

Pupils Can Read:

• Form Time Reading Canon texts
• NHS Reading Road texts
• Library books from their ZPD range
• Books and reading completed at home
• Appropriate non-fiction texts

Expectations

How Can Parents Help?

You do not need to be an expert reader to make a significant difference.

Encourage Daily Reading

A simple routine can have a powerful impact:

20 minutes reading + 5 minutes talking about the reading

Ask Questions

Simple conversations can improve comprehension:

• What happened in your reading today?
• What have you learned?
• What was the most interesting part?
• Would you recommend this book?
• What do you think will happen next?

Encourage Independence

Support your child to:

• Finish books.
• Read regularly.
• Persevere with challenging texts.
• Look up unfamiliar vocabulary.
• Develop reading stamina.

Visit Libraries

Encourage regular use of:

• The school library
• Local libraries
• Digital reading platforms