What is ECC’s Tutor Reading Programme? 

Twice a week during registration, each Year 7-10 tutor group will be read aloud to them by their tutor for between 15–30 minutes. The collection of books in the programme has been carefully chosen. All pupils will have a copy to follow along from.

Why is it important?

This will help to:

• Create a sense of belonging through shared reading experience
• Promote ambition for all our students in the hope that our students will become lifelong inquisitive learners and readers.
• Increase a sense of responsibility for self and others by developing a growing understanding of the way in which literature allows us to see and understand the world from a variety of perspectives.
• Expose students to a wide range of vocabulary and grammar
• Model fluency and tone when reading
• Improve reading stamina
• Provide reading time for students in a relaxed, calm environment to start the day.

How will it work?

These texts have been selected, not only to encourage reading for pleasure, but to promote discussion by encountering some of the challenges our protagonists (main characters) face. Our Tutor Reading Programme will prompt students to empathise with characters of all ages from different backgrounds whilst being exposed to a range of genres and writing styles.

At the heart of our Tutor Reading Programme is a simple message: we want everyone to fall in love with reading. At ECC, we understand the impact reading can have on a student’s life and future prospects. Therefore, we see it as our moral imperative to do whatever we can to support students through some of the challenging content so that we are giving them every potential to become thoughtful, considerate and ambitious individuals in and out of our school community.

Some of the texts do include challenging content – such as racism, sexism, cancer, death, grief, adolescence, physical difference, ability, disability, refugee camps and immigration detention centres – and are therefore provided with accompanying materials to support the teaching of topics like prejudice and stereotypes so that all staff feel confident when discussing the novels with their tutees. We want every member of our community to appreciate the value of reading.

Tutor Reading Programme: Information for Parents and Carers

We are delighted to continue our Tutor Reading Programme next year as part of our commitment to developing students’ literacy, confidence and enjoyment of reading. Twice each week, students in Years 7–10 will spend 25 minutes in tutor time reading high-quality texts together. During these sessions, students will silently track the text while their tutor reads aloud, modelling fluent, expressive and enthusiastic reading.

Research consistently highlights the importance of regular reading in improving vocabulary, comprehension, writing ability and academic achievement across all subjects. Listening to texts being read aloud also allows students to access challenging and thought-provoking literature that they may not yet choose independently. Through shared reading experiences, students develop empathy, resilience and critical thinking, while exploring different cultures, perspectives and life experiences.

Reading can also have a positive impact on mental health and wellbeing. It provides opportunities for reflection, promotes emotional literacy and helps students understand both themselves and others. By discussing characters’ experiences and challenges, students are encouraged to develop compassion, self-awareness and a greater understanding of the world around them.

Our carefully selected reading journey exposes students to a rich variety of authors, genres and themes, helping to foster a lifelong love of reading and ensuring every student benefits from engaging with powerful stories and ideas.

What texts will be read?

Should you wish to explore any of the novels further, here are the novels that will be read by the year groups. 

If you have any concerns, as with the other texts we have chosen, please feel free to do your own research, or please contact our Whole School Literacy Coordinator AtlantaRose.Simon@exmouthcollege.org