DEAR

The Tutor Reading Programme launched this September for Years 7-10 and aims to promote the enjoyment of reading as well as having proven results in increasing students’ reading age.

The chosen books have been selected to allow students access to a rich variety of literature, and have been carefully selected to be age appropriate, challenging and enjoyable. They cover a range of topics that will engage and inspire our students and to promote a love of reading.

The books have also been chosen with our core values in mind – Love, Respect and Determination.

Year 7

Refugee Boy

‘Refugee Boy’ by Benjamin Zephaniah links with our core values of determination and respect as we follow young refugee, Alem, as he tries to find a place in British society.

Wonder

‘Wonder’ by R.J Palacio is an emotional, important tale of a 10-year-old boy with ‘mandibulofacial dysotosis’ or ‘Treacher-Collins syndrome’ and links with our core value of respect.

Room 13

‘Room 13’ by Robert Swindells is a children's Gothic novel about a class who go on a trip to Whitby and try to unravel the mystery of Room 13 that only exists by night. This story links to our core values of love and determination, as the friends need to be more courageous than they’ve ever needed to be before.

A Wrinkle in Time

‘A Wrinkle in Time’ by Madeleine L’Engle links to our core value of determination as it sees a trio of young explorers travel through space and time to find their missing father.

The Spooks Apprentice

‘The Spook’s Apprentice’ by Joseph Delaney links closely to our core value of determination. For years, the local Spook has been keeping the County safe from evil. Now his time is coming to an end, but who will take over? Many apprentices have tried. Some floundered, some fled, some failed to stay alive. Just one boy is left. Thomas Ward. He is the last hope.

Year 8

Outwalkers

In ‘Outwalkers by Fiona Shaw, England is under the control of an authoritarian regime. Chips implanted in citizens' skin at birth mean anyone can be tracked, anywhere. But young protagonist, Jake, who breaks out of the Academy dorm he's been housed in, has decided to escape. This adventure story, about a burning hunger for freedom, links with all of our core values: love, determination and respect.

Stone Cold

‘Stone Cold’ by Robert Swindells follows the path of a terrified homeless teenager. This book, set on the tough streets of London, is designed to make readers question their attitude towards homelessness and links to our core values of love and respect.

Martyn Pig

‘Martyn Pig’ by Kevin Brooks follows the fourteen-year-old narrator as he is faced with some difficult choices in the aftermath of his brutal father's accidental death. Linking with our core value of determination, the story explores issues related to becoming an adult and the pull of freedom.

About a Boy

‘About a Boy’ by Nick Hornby links with our core value of love as it follows the surprising friendship between irresponsible adult, Will, and bullied teenager, Marcus. As role-models for each other, the pair form a bond that demonstrates the power of honesty, and loyalty.

The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas

‘The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas’ by John Boyne follows Bruno, the eight-year-old son of the commandant at a concentration camp during WWII. His friendship with a Jewish boy he meets across the fence leads to unexpected consequences. The story links closely with our core values of love and respect.

Year 9

The Girl of Ink and Stars

‘The Girl of Ink and Stars’ by Kiran Hargrave is a story of adventure and friendship and links closely with our core values of love and determination. Isabella is fascinated with the ancient myths of Joya. Preoccupied with ideas of exploration and inspired by the far-flung places her father once documented, she yearns for adventure.

The Boy Who Steals Houses

‘The Boy Who Steals Houses’ by C.G Drews links to all three of our core values: love, determination and respect. Sam is only fifteen but he and his autistic older brother, Avery, have been abandoned by every relative he's ever known. Now Sam's trying to build a new life for them.

Noughts and Crosses

‘Noughts and Crosses’, by Malorie Blackman, is the first book in a series of five. Highlighting our core values of determination and respect, this story follows two young people who are forced to make a stand against racism and prejudice in an alternate society.

The Bombs that Brought us Together

‘The Bombs that Brought us Together’ by Brian Conaghan links to our core values of love and respect. Fourteen-year-old Charlie Law lives in strictly regulated, curfew-ridden Little Town; Pavel Duda's a refugee from Old Country, across the border. But when the bombs and the Old Country soldiers come, Charlie and Pav's friendship becomes something more complex, and nothing will be as simple again.

Year 10

The House of Silk

‘The House of Silk’ by Anthony Horowitz links to our core value of determination. Set in London in 1890, the story follows Holmes and Dr. Watson as their attempt to find a missing necklace reveals first a murder and then a vast, horrifying conspiracy.

Curriculum