Reading School
At Wilmslow High School we believe that reading is an essential learning habit for all our students, whatever their age or ability.
We have therefore developed the concept of 20:20 reading by which we mean a habit of:
- 20 minutes of reading for improvement
- 20 minutes of reading for wellbeing
We believe that reading brings a range of intellectual, health and wellbeing benefits for our students and we are delighted to be opening up our new library as part of our building programme.
For more information on reading, and about our Christmas reading programme for our key stage 3 students, please see our We’re all reading handout, which you can download below.
There will be more to follow on We’re all reading and our new library in the new year.
How do we support any of our students who are struggling readers?
At Wilmslow High School we are determined to ensure that all our students are reading to at least age-related standard, and in line with their academic potential.
We assess our Year 7 and Year 9 students using the New Group Reading Test (NGRT) assessment provided by GL Assessment. More information about this can be found at this link. We also monitor the reading of our students in other year groups so that we can take swift action where any student may be falling behind in their reading.
Where students are not reading to age-related standard we put in place support through our Reading Programme, an outline of which can be seen below.
If you are concerned about your child’s reading please do get in touch with us.
| Level | Fluency | Description | Level of support |
| 1 | Pre-initial | You can’t really do it | Daily tutoring |
| 2 | Initial | You can do it a little, but it is difficult | 2 hours a week of teaching |
| 3 | Establishing | It is getting a little easier, but you are still making lots of mistakes | 1 hour a week of teaching |
| 4 | Recalling | You can do it, but you need to get back into the habit | Catch-up reading programme |
| 5 | Substantial | You can do it well enough to practice independently and you are quite accurate | Weekly reading session |
| 6 | Complete | You can do it easily and you are almost completely accurate | Library Form for our Y7-8 students (from Jan 2025) |
| 7 | Fluent | You are quick, accurate and automatic | Library Form for our Y7-8 students (from Jan 2025) |
Who are our Reading Team at Wilmslow High School?
At Wilmslow because ‘We’re all reading’ we take a team approach.
Ms Powley, our Deputy Headteacher oversees We’re all reading@wilmlsow.
She is a passionate advocate for reading across and beyond the curriculum and shares her vision for 20:20 with our students through her assemblies to all year groups. Get in touch at: RPowley@wilmslowhigh.com
Miss George, our Formal Curriculum and Assessment Lead oversees our Reading Assessment programme.
Get in touch at: CGeorge@wilmslowhigh.com
Ms Roselle is our Reading Lead.
She coordinates our Reading Programme at levels 1-5. Get in touch at: SRoselle@wilsmlowhigh.com
Miss Baldwin is our Reading for Wellbeing Lead.
She coordinates our Reading Programme at levels 6-7 working closely with our Librarian. Get in touch at: KBaldwin@wilmslowhigh.com
Miss Plaat is our Librarian.
She is delighted with our new Library space and looking forward to welcoming our students into our 2025 Library Programme. Get in touch at: PPlaat@wilmslowhigh.com
Miss Sivori is our Curriculum Team Leader for English.
The English Team support We’re all reading@wilmlsow through our Sparx Reader activities. Get in touch at: CSivori@wilmslowhigh.com
Mr Williams is our Sixth Form Lead.
He works closely with the Reading Team on promoting reading for our Sixth Form students. Get in touch at: HWilliams@wilmslowhigh.com
Keelan Desai is our Reading Student Leader.
She works with Ms Roselle to support our Sixth Form student mentor programme