Bookworms at Harrogate school break record

Since it started in February 2014 with students who were then in their first year at the school, the accelerated reader programme has seen more than 2,000 books loaned to students compared to 170 for the same period in the previous year.

It is now due to be rolled out to the new year seven cohort in the next few weeks and is set to continue for the pilot classes now they have moved into year eight.

Giving pupils the opportunity to read for 20 minutes at different times of the day, this scheme shows how the increasingly prominent part played by technology in education takes place within a familiar learning environment.

Resource Centre administrator Jo Huett said she is pleased that both students and staff are embracing the programme so enthusiastically.

She said: “Reading is so important for both academic success and personal development.

“The accelerated reader programme combines books and technology to promote reading for pleasure, and we have more than 2,500 books available for use in this scheme.”

The programme is aimed at motivating and encouraging children to read more and improve their literacy schools, and the school said students have responded positively.

When students finish their books they take a short quiz using their iPads, allowing staff to monitor and review their progress.