Jon Biddle & reviews

Jon Biddle, English lead and NEU rep at Moorlands Primary in Norfolk, is passionate about fostering a love of reading for pleasure. Here he shares ideas and tips for schools to try.

Need inspiration? Just ask your pupils

WE’RE continually looking for ways to give our pupils more ownership of their school reading culture.

After a Covid-enforced gap of more than two years, we’ve recently restarted our school reading council. Each of our nine classes nominated someone to talk about their love of reading and suggest ideas about ways to spread that passion across the school.

The first ten minutes of the meeting were spent chatting about our favourite books. The children were in mixed-age groups and, although some of the younger children were quite nervous, it was wonderful to see how empathetic and supportive the older pupils were, asking thoughtful and sensitive questions about the chosen books.

The discussion then moved on to sharing what each class already did to promote reading for pleasure. Story time, independent reading and book talk have been firmly embedded in the school for a while now, but it was reassuring – and heartening – to hear how many classes had taken on other initiatives such as poem of the day, reading scrapbooks and the pupil recommendations shelf, some of which I’ve written about in previous Educate articles.

Read more ideas from Jon next issue

Reading rollercoaster

The main part of the meeting focussed on new ideas for raising the profile of reading even further.

I was genuinely stunned by their passion and creativity, with some wonderfully original suggestions being put forward – although, unfortunately, they weren’t all practical. I haven’t checked, but I suspect that inviting JK Rowling to read Harry Potter during assembly might stretch our school budget very slightly, and I’m not sure that building a reading rollercoaster on the field, where the children have to grab handfuls of books on their way down, would pass health and safety checks. I’d be more than happy to be proved wrong.

Some of the more realistic suggestions included organising a special reading assembly where every child and member of staff would bring a favourite book to talk about in small groups; training up some younger children to be library assistants when their class visits the library; and running a half-termly book swap and expanding it to include parents. What fantastic suggestions.

(Left) Some favourite books we shared

(Below) Swapping ideas at the school reading council

There was also talk of introducing a reading day, where a range of books and authors would be celebrated in different classrooms, with the children being given the option of where they’d like to go.

A funding premium for books

Items on the agenda for the next meeting include a discussion about which author, poet or illustrator we’d like to visit us next term; how we’re going to celebrate World Poetry Day in March; and which biscuits to provide when we open the library for parents.

On a related note, the current funding situation in schools has already reached critical levels, with schools across the country being forced to cut back on everything, including books. This saddens me for so many reasons.

We know reading for pleasure has an enormous impact on a child’s educational success. An investment in reading material has to be looked at in terms of the returns and not in terms of the outlay. Money is rightly put aside for the PE and sport premium, so it’s about time that something similar was introduced for reading.

We can’t afford to buy books… and we can’t afford not to. @jonnybid

Let us know if you’d like to review them – email us at educate@neu.org.uk

The Expert Teacher

AS the author himself states, this is not a book for those new to teaching or looking for a quick fix. This is a book for those wanting to fine-tune their craft and explore pedagogy in more detail.

Darren Mead has spent his career trialling and refining his practice and is keen to empower others with what he has learnt.

Over six chapters he unpicks the skill of teaching and explores the need for well-thought-out and meticulously planned lessons. Spend the time, add the detail, think it through and only then will you see the positive effects in learning.

Sian Sparrow The Expert Teacher: Using Pedagogical Content Knowledge to Plan Superb Lessons by Darren Mead. Crown House. £18.99.

Great Relationships and Sex Education

A USEFUL resource providing more than 200 practical ideas for delivering great relationships and sex education (RSE) lessons. It takes the stress out of planning as each themed chapter has almost 30 activities outlined, alongside a summary of the resources needed, the time it takes and the target age group.

Lesson styles vary ranging from drama, quizzes and art, to small-group work and individual reflections. The activities can be linked across the curriculum.

There are also websites with useful resources for educators to download and use within the classroom. A handy time saver.

Cindy Shanks Great Relationships and Sex Education by Alice Hoyle and Ester McGeeney. Routledge. £34.99.

The Teacher Journal

WRITTEN by experienced teacher Naomi Barker, who has a background in PGCE training, this journal is a supportive and reflective tool for early career teachers (ECTs).

The structure follows the weeks and terms of the school year with suggested tasks and activities to focus new teachers on their practice. Space is provided for reflections where ECTs can outline their achievements and progress towards teacher standards, as well as celebrating key highlights of the week such as favourite student quotes.

Although some areas are geared towards a secondary structure, there is still plenty to support primary practitioners. The importance of wellbeing and self-care is woven throughout.

Sian Collinson The Teaching Journal by Naomi Barker. Bloomsbury. £14.99.

About Our Schools: Improving on Previous Best

WHAT has been the impact of education throughout history and how has it evolved? In this informative book, the authors address the shift in educational policies from the 1970s to the present day.

Using extensive research, this book seeks to explore the past and enhance the educational chances of all children. It provides suggestions for how the school system can be improved upon, with six foundation stones and 39 steps for achieving this.

A thought-provoking book and an inspirational read.

Cindy Shanks About Our Schools: Improving on Previous Best by Tim Brighouse and Mick Waters. Crown House. £24.99.

Fire Burn, Cauldron Bubble: Magical Poems

COMPILED by Paul Cookson, this hardback anthology contains 72 enchanting poems. Brightly coloured with eye-catching illustrations, it exudes quality. Featuring famous, traditional poems (by Lewis Carroll and William Shakespeare), as well as contemporary poets (Brian Moses), there is a selection of poetic styles to suit all tastes. Some poems are hilarious – for example, I Once Asked a Wizard – while others, such as The Forest, are spine-tingling.

A lovely book for teachers to dip into at the end of the day to share with their class, or for children to enjoy independently. Ideal for children aged seven upwards.

Cindy Shanks Fire Burn, Cauldron Bubble: Magical Poems chosen by Paul Cookson and illustrated by Eilidh Muldoon. Bloomsbury. £12.99.