Tutor Time Reading Programme (TTRP)

At Blaise High School, we believe that reading is a transformative skill, essential for breaking the cycle of disadvantage and unlocking a lifelong love of learning. The primary aim of the Tutor Time Reading Programme (TTRP) is to foster a deep love of reading by introducing students to accessible, engaging, and enjoyable books.

Every morning, Year 7 students participate in TTRP during their tutor time. Tutors read aloud with fluency, expression, and pace, while students follow along with their own copies of the book. This shared reading experience not only improves literacy skills but also sparks excitement and curiosity about stories. The focus is on adventurous plots and memorable characters, ensuring that students are captivated and motivated to read both in school and independently at home.

To encourage sustained reading, we also have a focus on books that are the beginning of long-running series, giving students the opportunity to continue their reading journey beyond the classroom. Tutors also pause to explain unfamiliar vocabulary, breaking down barriers to comprehension and helping students build confidence in their reading abilities.

Students maintain a personal reading log, which they update throughout Year 7-9. This log serves as a record of their reading journey and a celebration of their progress.

Like all aspects of life at Blaise High School, TTRP is disruption-free, creating a calm and focused environment where students can fully immerse themselves in the joy of reading.

Our reading canon is diverse, inclusive and ambitious, designed to complement the curriculum while introducing students to a wide range of stories, cultures, and perspectives. Over the academic year, Year 7 students read up to 8 carefully selected books, blending classic tales with modern adventures.

Our year 7 reading list is:

• Windrush Child

• I am David

• Private Peaceful

• Wonder

• The House with Chicken Legs

• Alice in Wonderland

• The Hunger Games 

• Skulduggery Pleasant

• The Secret Garden

• Stig of the Dump

• Percy Jackson and the Lightning Thief

• The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe