Reading

Our curriculum is designed to ensure that every student reads regularly and widely. The Axholme Academy is committed to providing students access to a wide range of books and creating devoted time to reading within the school day. We want every student to find that book they just can’t put down. 

2026 marks the National Year of Reading, and as an Academy we are proud to adopt and champion their campaign message of “Go All In!”
The National Year of Reading centres on the idea that “If you’re into it, read into it.”

At the Academy, we are embracing this message by encouraging everyone to Go All In with reading, seeing it not as a chore, but as a powerful and relevant way to connect with the things you already love. Whether your passion is music, gaming, sports, fashion, or anything else, reading can be a meaningful “plug-in” that deepens your interests and opens up new ideas.

Find out more about the National Year of Reading here

To develop a love for reading and students' reading skills, the academy has a range of strategies shown below. 

Tutor Led Reading 

During tutor sessions, years 7, 8, and 9 have Tutor Led Reading sessions. Tutors will read a text from our canon out loud to the class whilst the students read along in their own books using a bookmark. 

Tutor Led Reading allows:

• Teachers to model fluency and the correct pronunciation of unfamiliar vocabulary

• Teachers guide students through challenging texts which they may not yet be able to access themselves, enjoying the pace and rhythm of more advanced stories regardless of students’ ability.

• Opportunities for students to engage with interesting, enriching stories featuring sophisticated vocabulary and structures, as well as challenging content.

• Exposure to rich vocabulary 

Our Academy Canon

The Axholme Academy Canon consists of a variety of books which present our students with developmental  challenges in both reading level and subject content – as students move through each year group. Books have been chosen for their quality in: taking students around the world to experience different cultures, enabling students to see life through another's perspective and for their historical importance as pivotal texts during the 20th century.

Below are synopses of the books in our tutor-led reading canon:

Drop Everything and Read (DEAR) 

DEAR time takes place in the last 20 minutes of the school day. Research shows that reading for 20 minutes a day dramatically improves vocabulary, academic performance, brain development, and emotional intelligence. 20 minutes of reading exposes a child to nearly 1.8 million words per year. Consistent reading is the foundation for success across all subjects, leading to better outcomes for all students. From Monday to Thursday, all KS3 students take part in DEAR time, and it is essential that the reading diet they receive in this time is of the best quality to help improve students' reading age.

To welcome the National Year of reading, we are launching our new DEAR Reading Lists. These curated lists include 50 titles per year group, with a comprehensive list of inclusive reads. The books have been carefully selected to enrich students’ reading and ensure they have access to books that are both age-appropriate and matched to their reading ability. The lists include a wide range of genres, so we are confident that every student will find plenty of books they are excited to explore. 

You can find out more details about each book in our year group lists by clicking on the individual links below. An * indicates the book is Dyslexia-friendly.

 

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Discover Your Local Library!

Our local libraries are wonderful places to explore books, learn new things, and enjoy time with family and friends. Whether you’re looking for storybooks and homework help, ebooks and audiobooks, or quiet study space and free Wi-Fi, North Lincolnshire Libraries have something for everyone. There are 14 libraries across the area offering books for all ages, computers, printing facilities, and events for children and families.

Why join?

• Borrow books, ebooks and audiobooks

• Get help with schoolwork and research

• Enjoy free online resources like newspapers and reference tools

• Take part in reading challenges and family events North Lincolnshire Council
   

How to sign up

• Visit your local library — join in person at any North Lincolnshire library. Membership is free, and once you’re a member you can use all library services across the area. North Lincolnshire Council

• Online sign-up — you can also join online to access digital resources quickly (especially great if you mainly want ebooks or online tools). opac.northlincs.gov.uk

• Under 16s? Children need an adult guarantor (e.g., a parent or carer) to join. North Lincolnshire Council

Once you’ve signed up, you’ll get a library card and PIN — these let you borrow books, log in to computers and online services, and join fun reading programmes throughout the year. opac.northlincs.gov.uk

💡 Top tip: Download the North Lincolnshire Libraries app on your phone or tablet to browse the catalogue, renew loans and find your nearest branch! North Lincolnshire Council