Thursday 7 January 2016

"We have been discouraged from using the library by the school improvement adviser because it is not promoting progress."

Teacher:

"Reading for pleasure is something which we have been discouraged from doing as it does not promote progress, and yet we are told it needs to happen more. More and more it is expected that children read for pleasure at home, but our children are so demotivated by school reading and their parents not reading for pleasure we are really struggling to get them reading, especially further up KS2. 

 We have also been discouraged from using the library by the school improvement adviser because it is not promoting progress. 

What about those vital research skills she asks about though? When do they get to learn those in a relaxed and enjoyable manner? As a lover of reading it's a real struggle to see so many children discouraged in this way. My year 4s love nothing more than having a story read to them, but we are confined to reading 2 pages at home time amidst the noise and bustle of the other classes packing up so teachers can get them out on time so they can start the next 4 hours of work. How do we promote reading in such a busy environment?"