This year, The Mead Educational Trust, a multi-academy trust in Leicestershire, took part in our latest learning project, helping us learn how Bookspark can be used to encourage reading for pleasure in Key Stage 3.
Bookspark is a curated pack of books and shared reading resources, specially created to build reading enjoyment and encourage reading for pleasure.
All seven TMET secondary schools participated. They used the programme over two terms with staff and students sharing their experience. Across the schools, the books and resources were embedded into existing support for reluctant and less confident readers.
Group reading at Castle Mead Academy
At Castle Mead Academy, Ioana Eardley, Higher-Level Teaching Assistant, used the books for group reading activities.
“This term, we organised two small groups where a Teaching Assistant reads with our scholars once a week for 50 minutes. We can see the progress in our scholars’ literacy levels and we appreciate the role your team played in it!”
Paired reading at Brook Mead Academy
Meanwhile, Mel Peploe, School Librarian at Brook Mead Academy, used the books for paired reading with less confident readers.
“I got them to fill in a reading survey and one of them actually made me really sad because… he would like to read, he just doesn’t think he’s very good and he has no one to read to…
“I was like, well, I’ll read with you once a week. They all decided on the same book and they absolutely loved it.
“It’s helped them with their confidence in reading… Just before Christmas, I said, ‘What other book would you read from this book box and why?’ They both had a good rummage. I didn’t think they were going to take anything and they both got the same book and they were really excited.”
Student feedback
As well as hearing how the books and resources were used, students from across the trust shared what they thought and felt about the books. These insights from this feedback are invaluable for the ongoing development of Bookspark.
A feedback form from a student taking part in Bookspark.
Age: 13
Which book did you read? Why? I read King of Nothing because it looked interesting so I chose it.
Who did you read it with? I read the book with myself and my brother.
How would you describe the book? It’s about [unclear] I don’t need none of that I’m king of the school living my best life.
What score would you give it out of five? Why? I would give it a 5 because honestly it is the best book I have ever read.
Write or draw a description of your book. [An illustration of a stick figure wearing a crown – reminiscent of the front cover of King of Nothing].
Is there anything else you would like to share about the book? It is very interesting and it’s like it’s really happening but it’s not.
What are you going to read next? Why? I am going to read Agents of S.U.I.T. because it’s a comic book and I like comic books.
Learn how Bookspark can help to spark a love of reading in your Key Stage 3 students with a hand-picked collection of books and expert-created shared reading resources.
- Thank you to Mercury Engineering for funding this learning project. Mercury, a leading European construction specialist have been supporting BookTrust since 2022, helping to fund our BookTrust Storytime project and in 2025 providing funds to help us launch Bookspark.
