We are committed to accelerating our students’ reading progress while fostering a reading for pleasure environment. One way we achieve this is by appointing Reading Plus Champions!
Every academic year, a new batch of Champions, who are passionate about reading and excel in the Reading Plus programme, have the opportunity to complete several exciting activities with us, including:
- Reviewing new (and unseen!) texts yet to be added to Reading Plus.
- Sharing their experience of Reading Plus in a blog titled ‘My Reading Plus Journey’.
- Expanding their reading further and reviewing books outside of Reading Plus.
- Collaborating with us on interviews with children’s/YA authors.
What is Reading Plus?
DreamBox Reading Plus is an adaptive online reading development programme designed to accelerate progress, improve results and build engagement.
Benefits of Reading Plus include:
- An efficacy study proved that students using Reading Plus significantly progressed more than non-users (full study here).
- Students are offered choice and control to self-select texts aligned with their interests from a vast online library.
- Regular challenges and initiatives motivate students, encourage reading for pleasure and celebrate successes – like our Reading Plus Champions!
Want to discover if Reading Plus can help your school? Book a call with a Reading Development Consultant to find out more!
Meet all of our Reading Plus Champions for the 2024/25 academic year!
Meet Charlie
A Year 4 pupil from Croxby Primary School.
Lindsay Lindsay, Assistant Headteacher at Croxby Primary, said: “We’re immensely proud of Charlie for being recognised as a Reading Plus Champion. It reflects the dedication and hard work, as well as the school’s commitment to fostering a love for reading.”
Meet Kashan
A Year 4 pupil from Kader Academy.
Katie Olley, Class Teacher at Kader Academy, said: “Kashan is a true Reading Plus superstar. Her unexplainable determination is remarkable, spending countless hours reading outside school hours. Kashan is a total pleasure, and I couldn’t recommend anyone better to receive this award.”
Meet Kayleigh
A Year 10 student from South Shore Academy.
Keith Dalton, a Librarian at South Shore, said: “Kayleigh is one of our most avid readers. She is currently sitting on a grand total of 389 book loans from our school library and is one of my most dedicated Senior Student Librarians. I cannot think of a more deserving student to be nominated for an award.”
Meet Safa
A Year 8 student from South Shore Academy.
Keith Dalton, a Librarian at South Shore, said: “Safa is one of my student librarians and an avid reader. She is currently on a grand total of 131 school library book loans, a fantastic achievement considering she has only been at the school since September 2023. Safa is a fantastic student and a credit to the school and our student library team.”
Meet Frank
A Year 5 pupil from St Peter and St Paul Catholic Primary Academy.
Daniel Nagre, Deputy Headteacher at St Peter and St Paul Catholic Primary Academy, said: “From day one, Frank has thoroughly immersed himself into the Reading Plus programme. It has motivated him to read more at home and he has already won a few awards. He has made good progress and looks forward to continuing to challenge himself with his reading.”
Meet Freya
A Year 6 pupil from Mab’s Cross Primary School.
Carolyn Smith, Year 6 Teacher at Mab’s Cross, said: “I am extremely proud of Freya’s achievement in becoming a Reading Plus Champion. She is incredibly deserving as she is such a studious and conscientious pupil who is extremely committed to our reading challenge in school.”
Meet Daniel
A Year 8 student from Rushcliffe Spencer Academy.
George Napthine, Literacy Intervention Teacher at Rushcliffe Spencer Academy, said: “We’re really proud of Daniel. He’s working so hard and is able to access increasingly tricky texts, which sets him up brilliantly for accessing the whole curriculum here at Rushcliffe. Daniel will be a great Reading Plus Champion because he’s a role model to everyone that might find something a bit tricky. Through consistent practice, he has really accelerated his learning.”
Meet Umme
A Year 5 pupil from Brackenhill Primary School.
Kate Morris, a Teacher at Brackenhill, said: “Umme truly embodies the spirit of a reading champion and deserves this award. Her dedication to Reading Plus is unmatched. It has guided her towards sharper comprehension skills, enabling her to navigate the depths of literature with much more confidence.”
Meet Abdul-Mueez
A Year 5 pupil from Brackenhill Primary School.
Kate Morris, a Teacher at Brackenhill, said: “Abdul-Mueez is not just a student he is a shining star in our reading galaxy. His passion for books transcends the classroom, as he immerses himself in stories during his spare time. Abdul-Mueez’s dedication to DreamBox Reading Plus is celebrated in our class, and he is improving his range of vocabulary and comprehension skills through the platform. His enthusiasm is infectious, inspiring his peers to dive into the world of words.”
Meet Ellie
A Year 9 student from Stowmarket High School.
Amy Fitch, Deputy Curriculum Leader of English at Stowmarket High, said: “Ellie’s dedication and immersion with Reading Plus has been astounding. She has been at the top of the school’s leaderboard for two years in a row. She has a huge passion for reading and is accessing texts we would expect A Level students to engage with.”
Meet Georgia
A Year 9 student from Stowmarket High School.
Amy Fitch, Deputy Curriculum Leader of English at Stowmarket High, said: “Georgia is an incredibly hardworking student. Her passion for reading is evident in the classroom and in her homework completion each week. She is a huge part of the school community and attends many extra-curricular activities associated with reading, journalism and performance.”
Meet Mahir
A Year 4 pupil from Carpenters Primary School.
Mark Jones, Year 4 Teacher at Carpenters, said: “I’m extremely proud of Mahir becoming a Reading Plus Champion! Mahir’s love for reading supports his academic and personal growth. His enthusiasm for literature not only strengthens his own skills but also fosters a culture of reading among his peers. It’s wonderful to see him taking ownership of his learning and excelling in a programme that not only enhances fluency but also encourages a love of reading.”
Meet Damarai
A Year 5 pupil from Long Toft Primary.
Olivia Workman, Year 5 Teacher at Long Toft, said: “I am very proud that Damarai has become a Reading Plus Champion! Damarai works so hard consistently and it’s lovely to see him be rewarded in a very special way for his fantastic work ethic.”
Meet Ella
A Year 5 pupil from South Wonston Primary School.
Tom Liddiard, Teacher at South Wonston, said: “I feel very proud to have such a rare and unique role in my class and school. Everyone in the class is very impressed and congratulatory towards Ella, recognising her as a role model. I am over the moon that her efforts and love of reading have been so greatly rewarded.”
Meet Millie
A Year 5 pupil from Knop Law Primary School.
Amanda Cousins, Year 5 Teacher at Knop Law, said: “I nominated Millie for this opportunity because she has shown great enthusiasm and passion for reading. Her reading with Reading Plus has improved and words read are impressive.”
Meet Alfred
A Year 6 pupil from St Fidelis Catholic Primary School.
Annabel Phelan, Assistant Headteacher at St Fidelis, said: “Alfred has excelled at using the Reading Plus programme since he began using it in Year 3. He has not only completed the programme once in Year 5 but also for a second time in Year 6! I think he would make a fantastic Reading Plus Champion!”
Meet Benjamin
A Year 6 pupil from St. Fidelis Catholic Primary School.
Annabel Phelan, Assistant Headteacher at St Fidelis, said: “Ben completed the programme once in Year 5 but also for a second time in Year 6! Ben is an avid reader and this is clear to see through the quality of his writing, where he draws on what he has learnt from authors to influence his own writing.”