Heathfield Primary School shares how Reading Plus increased reading levels, engagement and motivation among pupils

Year 6 English Lead from Heathfield Primary School shares how Reading Plus is meeting all their school’s reading needs by increasing engagement and motivation among pupils.

After using Reading Plus for only a year, the staff at Heathfield Primary could not be more impressed with the results achieved. Heathfield Primary was focused on targeting reluctant readers to embrace the world of books and read independently. The primary school in Bolton found that the motivational factors of our programme really encouraged their students to challenge themselves both in school and at home. Alongside a rapid increase in reading levels, staff have noticed that all pupils enjoy using Reading Plus – even those who are reluctant readers!

School Requirements

To improve:

• Reading speed
• Word knowledge
• Reading fluency
• Reading accuracy
• Reading comprehension
• Engagement and motivation among pupils in reading

Before Reading Plus

Reading engagement in school was mixed. Reading levels at the end of KS2 in the last few years prior to COVID were always below the national average. We wanted to target reluctant readers who wouldn’t naturally choose to read independently. We felt that Reading Plus, an interactive tool on a tablet or computer, would really support our reluctant readers.

Why Reading Plus?

After seeing a demonstration of Reading Plus in school, we felt that the interactivity of the programme and the motivational factors would provide a real incentive for our pupils when reading.

We noted that there is a range of texts available that would suit a wide range of interests, and we were also impressed with the reports that were generated for each class/pupil.

Increased reading engagement and reading levels

All children in Year 6 enjoy using Reading Plus and can access the programme at school and at home. We have noticed an increase in engagement across the school. Through the use of the reporting data on Reading Plus, we have seen reading levels also rising. 

We see Reading Plus as part of our wider curriculum, which is focused on preparing children for life after school with the necessary skills they will need to succeed.

Student enjoyment

Students enjoy the motivational factors of the programme, including identifying progress in levels, word speed, combos and the score they get for comprehension after each text.

As an English Lead, I like seeing the motivation children feel when they see their levels, combos, etc., increasing. It provides them with a real sense of ownership of their learning.

Easy implementation

Implementing Reading Plus at Heathfile was very easy and straightforward. The initial assessment students complete is easy to follow and ensures that each child has a bespoke reading programme to follow based on their abilities.  This initial baseline was a great indicator to identify children’s reading ages and levels of comprehension.

Outstanding support

The Customer Support Team has always been very helpful. They have provided us with termly reports of the children’s levels and progress. In addition, when new staff members were introduced to Reading Plus, the team provided Continuing Professional Development (CPD) through an online call with a demonstration.

Top-level data reporting

The reporting data has been great at identifying barriers in children’s learning and addressing very specific barriers such as reading speed, work knowledge and fluency. Another aspect of Reading Plus that is great and helps wonders is the level of reports that are available to teachers to help identify specific areas of reading children struggle with.

We are very much looking forward to embedding Reading Plus into our whole school reading curriculum, especially across KS2.

We know that reading is a key life skill, and Reading Plus is the tool to help us to achieve that all children leave Heathfield as skilled readers.