At Lift New Forest, we believe that the ability to read well is essential to enabling competence. Ensuring all our pupils can read well and access the curriculum will transform their life chances. In order to achieve this, we use purposeful assessment and high-quality interventions.
Reading is a high priority at our school, and we are implementing key reading strategies to create confident, successful readers.
Our approach is multi-faceted. Effective teaching of reading is deeply embedded in our curriculum, and all pupils have access to, can engage with, and enjoy high-quality texts. To further support this, we use the Lift Schools NGRT testing to identify and monitor weaker readers, allowing us to tailor support strategies. This is delivered through a Phonics Programme using Fresh Start Phonics Intervention, ensuring that every pupil builds a strong foundation in reading.
To complement these strategies, we have adopted Sparx Reader as part of our whole school reading strategy and Lexia PowerUp as a targeted intervention for students who need additional support. Below, we explain these two approaches and how they work to support your child’s reading journey.
We’re excited to let you know that we’ve partnered with Sparx Learning to start using their new reading platform, Sparx Reader, from January. It’s really important to us that young people are able to practise careful, silent reading for a decent amount of time, without distraction. Sparx Reader reassures us as teachers and parents that focused reading is happening, and that readers of all abilities feel successful and motivated.
Your child will be using Sparx Reader to complete weekly homework. Homework will be set on a Monday and due the following Monday every week. Here are some key features of Sparx Reader:
The addition of Sparx Reader represents an exciting enhancement to our reading strategy. While Reading Plus has supported our students effectively in the past, the unique functionality of Sparx Reader, particularly its eBook library and accessibility features, has been a key driver in our decision to transition to this platform.
To support parents further, we encourage you to watch a series of short videos explaining what Sparx Reader is and how it works, available at https://sparxreader.com/parents/
Students log in at sparxreader.com. They will need to find their school and log in using their Sparx Maths details. Sparx Reader can be accessed on any device that connects to the internet with a web browser.
Sparx Reader adapts to each student’s reading level, so it’s important that you don’t help by answering questions for them. If you help them, Sparx Reader might think they’re a very strong reader and show them books that are too difficult.
You can help by providing a quiet space and a set amount of time for your child to focus on their reading homework each week. The best way to support your child is to ask them about the book they’re reading: what aspects they’re enjoying, which characters and events they’ve recently read about, or what they think could happen next.
You are able to keep track of your child’s reading by clicking through the link to the Parent Portal in your Sparx Maths weekly homework email. On the Parent Portal, you can view homework progress for any Sparx Learning system your child is using. For Sparx Reader, you can see progress with current and previous homework and browse books your child has been reading as part of their assignments. When your child finishes their book, we will send you an email celebrating their achievement!
While Sparx Reader supports the entire school community, we recognise that some students may require additional help to build foundational reading skills. Lexia PowerUp is a research-based intervention programme designed to support students in Key Stages 3 and 4 who are reading below their expected level. Here’s how it works:
Lexia PowerUp is used as part of a structured intervention plan, with sessions integrated into the school day. It ensures that students who need extra support can build their reading skills and catch up with their peers.
Our goal is to ensure that every student at New Forest Academy becomes a confident and capable reader. By combining the school-wide use of Sparx Reader with the targeted support of Lexia PowerUp, and by embedding high-quality teaching strategies and interventions like Fresh Start Phonics, we are addressing the diverse needs of our students and equipping them with essential skills for both academic success and lifelong learning. Thank you for your support in making this vision a reality.
If you have any questions, please contact Mrs A.Forder via the following email address: aforder@liftnewforest.org.
Lift New Forest,
Long Lane,
Holbury,
Southampton,
SO45 2PA
