Information for senior leaders: Why should your school choose this programme?
What is the Premier League Reading Stars programme?
Premier League Reading Stars is a reading intervention programme, which will help your school to engage pupils who have low literacy levels and feel that reading is for others.
Who is it aimed at?
It is flexible enough to be used in both the primary and secondary setting. In primary schools it is primarily for Year 5 and 6 pupils who are struggling to reach end of key stage expectations and are in danger of falling behind. In secondary schools it is aimed at Year 7 and 8 pupils who did not meet Key Stage 2 targets; those who will probably become your C/D borderline students in a few years’ time. It is especially successful in transforming boys’ attitudes towards literacy and will engage those who have a passion for football. This programme has enough resources for 32 pupils. However, a group of 10-15 pupils would be ideal. The scheme could then be run with two or three groups.
Why is it useful for your school?
The programme is designed to address recent Ofsted school inspection criteria and focus.
There is not enough focus on wider reading or reading for pleasure... All schools should develop policies to promote reading for enjoyment throughout school.
Ofsted 2012: Moving English Forward
It is in line with both the current Secondary National Curriculum Programme of Study for KS3 (providing curriculum opportunities which are integral to their engagement and enjoyment of reading) and the new Draft Primary National Curriculum Programmes of Study.
“The overall aim for English in the National Curriculum is to promote high standards of literacy by equipping pupils with a strong command of the written and spoken word, and develop a love of literature through widespread reading for enjoyment …all pupils develop the habit of reading widely and often for both pleasure and information.
From the new draft of the National Curriculum
It has been proven to have an impact on pupils’ attainment and motivation both in reading and writing:
- 74% of pupils said that they would read more now that they know that footballers read.
- In the 10-hour programme, more than half the participants (56%) progressed in their reading skill by one sublevel and 17% progressed at least two sub-levels.
- 49% joined a public library as a result of the project.
- 7 in 10 participants now say that they enjoy writing more and that they are more confident writers as a result of the project.
More evidence about the success of the programme can be found in the Premier League Reading Stars 2012 report (abridged).
What are the next steps?
- 1,000 packs for schools and libraries who meet our criteria have now been allocated. There are a limited number of packs available for sale from our resources section.
- Assign the programme to a member of staff. You will need to release a teacher for one hour per week to deliver 10 sessions; this should be a member of staff who, if not a football fan themself, understands the influence that the sport has on students. This could be a teacher, teaching assistant (with support from a classroom teacher), tutor, librarian or PE teacher.
- Ensure that the assigned teacher attends the free one-day training session delivered by a Premier League Reading Stars author. This is usually held at a football stadium and is a great opportunity for staff to learn more about delivering the programme as well as being a good networking opportunity.
