DEAR (Drop Everything and Read), sessions are an integral part of our KS3 reading culture, with a dedicated 30-minute slot each day to ensure consistent, focused engagement with reading. The school has implemented this daily provision because developing strong literacy skills is crucial to students’ academic success, confidence, and wider life opportunities.
Across Key Stage 3, students engage with carefully selected texts that broaden their understanding of the world and deepen their emotional and intellectual awareness. Year 7 focus on books linked to a green theme, encouraging reflection on nature, sustainability, and the environment. Year 8 explore texts centred around key issues and concepts, supporting critical thinking and discussion of real-world themes. Year 9 read books connected to “ours and others’ worlds,” helping students consider diverse perspectives, cultures, and experiences.
These sessions are structured to extend vocabulary, build reading confidence, and strengthen comprehension skills. They also play a vital role in personal development, as students are encouraged to explore a range of human emotions, decisions, and situations through literature, fostering empathy, reflection, and a deeper understanding of themselves and others.