Literacy
At Harrow High School, we are dedicated to fostering a love of reading and equipping our students with the literacy skills essential for success both in and beyond the classroom. Our comprehensive literacy strategies aim to inspire, support, and challenge learners at every level, ensuring that reading remains a central part of their educational journey.
From innovative tools like Sparx Reader and Lexia to enrich students’ literacy development, to our curated Library Lessons that immerse Key Stage 3 learners in the joy of reading, we provide varied opportunities to build confidence and competence in literacy. Initiatives like the Paired Reading Programme and the Student Librarian scheme further enhance this vision, promoting mentorship, leadership, and collaboration across year groups.
With an engaging programme of events, access to thousands of physical and digital resources, and tailored support for all abilities, Harrow High School’s library and literacy provision plays a pivotal role in shaping curious, articulate, and empowered learners prepared to thrive in a global community.
SparX READER
At Harrow High School, we are committed to nurturing a love for reading and improving literacy skills across our student body. One of our key initiatives is the integration of Sparx Reader into our weekly curriculum for Key Stage 3 learners. This innovative platform empowers students to engage with a wide variety of texts tailored to their reading abilities and interests. By dedicating time each week to focused reading activities, students work systematically to enhance their comprehension, vocabulary, and critical thinking skills.
Sparx Reader not only tracks individual progress but also provides valuable insights to help teachers identify areas for targeted support. This tailor-made approach ensures that every student is supported in making measurable improvements to their reading age, fostering confidence and success in literacy that underpins all areas of learning.
LEXIA
For students whose reading ages fall below their chronological age, we provide targeted support through the Lexia Corrective Reading program. This specialised intervention is designed to close reading gaps and equip learners with the skills they need to thrive.
Students enrolled in the program benefit from focused, small-group sessions led by trained staff members. Using the proven Lexia platform, learners engage with personalised activities that address their specific challenges in decoding, comprehension, and fluency. Regular progress tracking allows our staff to tailor interventions, ensuring that each student receives the support they need to achieve meaningful improvements in their reading abilities.
By participating in this program, students not only enhance their reading skills but also build the confidence to tackle the demands of the broader curriculum. Our goal is to ensure every learner at Harrow High School has the tools to succeed academically and beyond.
LIBRARY LESSONS
Library Lessons are embedded into the curriculum for Key Stage 3 students, offering a dedicated time to explore, engage, and enjoy reading.
During these sessions, English teachers bring their classes to the school library, where students have the opportunity to browse our diverse and carefully curated collection of books. This encourages learners to discover genres and authors that spark their interest, fostering a lifelong love for reading.
The quiet, focused environment of the library also provides students with time to immerse themselves in their chosen books, promoting reading for pleasure while developing their literacy skills. Teachers support students in making thoughtful book choices and guide discussions that deepen engagement with texts.
Our Library Lessons Initiative ensures that reading remains a central and enjoyable part of students’ educational journey, helping to cultivate confident, curious, and competent readers.
PAIRED READING PROGRAMME
At Harrow High School, we believe in the power of mentorship and the shared joy of reading to build confidence and community. Our Paired Reading Programme, currently being piloted, matches selected Year 7 students with Year 12 Reading Mentors for weekly reading sessions in the school library.
This initiative provides Year 7 learners with a supportive environment to develop their reading fluency, comprehension, and confidence. Through one-on-one interactions, students engage with texts at their own pace, supported and encouraged by their older peers.
For Year 12 mentors, this programme offers a meaningful opportunity to give back to the school community, fostering leadership skills and a sense of responsibility. The weekly sessions strengthen connections across year groups, creating a positive and collaborative atmosphere within the school.
The Paired Reading Programme exemplifies our commitment to nurturing both academic growth and strong interpersonal relationships, helping students of all ages thrive.
STUDENT LIBRARIANS
“My favourite part is being able to add a touch of my creativity to the library. I love designing bookmarks for all the different events!” - Lavynia, Year 11
Oversubscribed every year, being a Student Librarian at Harrow High is a crucial and exciting way learners can give back to their school community. School Librarians are selected from across the year groups to assist in the library. They have an extensive range of activities including circulation, catalogue development, creating bookmarks and posters and helping run events.
Student Librarians become a point of contact for their fellow learners raising the profile of their library and ensuring everyone has a voice. They act as role models for others across the school with their readiness to help others.
Our Student Librarians enjoy a range of rewards for their services every year that have included pizza, trips to central London and books gifted by the school.
“I became a Student Librarian in Year 8, and it has since opened up so many opportunities for me to grow as an individual and develop my speaking skills and ability to help others around me” - Jemimah, Year 10
EVENTS
As the heart of the school, the library runs events every term to encourage interaction with all the different things the library has to offer. In the Autumn, we hold our annual Read-a-thon where learners compete against one another to spend the most time reading in the library. As the Christmas break approaches, the Library hosts the Scholastic Book Fair, giving learners an opportunity to purchase books for lower prices than they would find elsewhere.
At the turn of the year, we celebrate World Book Day by holding a fashion show, packing the library with students and staff showing off their best costumes. The day is also celebrated with an author visit and workshop for those learners who love creative writing.
This is just a small selection of the events the library runs to keep learners engaged and interested in the world of books.
STRETCH FORM TIME READING
Form time reading is a staple of the morning at Harrow High. Every year group has an assigned text that they read twice a week with their form groups. The purpose of which is to familiarise students with excellent, engaging literature. For those students with high reading ages, Stretch Form Time Reading is an opportunity to challenge them even further. In these sessions they read more intellectually demanding, award-winning books written by a diverse set of authors. The focus is on books that add to their historical and cultural knowledge while developing their understanding through discussion and debate.
Our current Stretch Form Time Reading texts are Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury, I Must Betray You by Ruta Septys, Coram Boy by Jamila Gavin and Wolf Hollow by Lauren Wolk.
ONLINE RESOURCES
We are pleased to offer, alongside the physical library catalogue, a wealth of resources available online. Through our library management system, AccessIt, learners are able to serach the library catalogue from anywhere. Here they can check what books are available in the library, make reservations, access suggested reading lists and view their account.
Learners also have access to ePlatform, an ebook provider which opens up the world of ebooks to learners free of charge! There are over 3,000 ebooks listed with new ones being added every week.