The library has been designed to be a comfortable space for children to read with flexible seating arrangements, a games section and introduction of the ‘Accelerated Reader’ programme where all the children have at least 1 dedicated reading lesson a week and get to complete weekly quizzes on what they have read.
The Library is open every lunch time, for reading and board games. Reading interventions are also taking place in the library with children engaging in guided reading sessions. It has been a pleasure to see children excited about reading and quizzing books, with many being proud of their reading progress. Some children who were previously reluctant readers are now asking staff to take them to the library to get a new book. During ‘choice time’ the library is often busy with some children choosing to sit and read on the sofas and others choosing to play board games.
Olsen House School provides a safe learning environment for children with social, emotional and mental health (SEMH) with associated needs including deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and autism (ASC), moderate and specific learning difficulties (LD).
The school aims to prepare children and young people for the future through a modern curriculum that meets their individual needs and provides ‘an honest environment’ where every young person is valued and supported.
Since the library has been in place we now have 93% of all children engaging in daily reading in DEAR time, with the library visited every day since it opened.
In recent progress testing on Accelerated Reader 68% of children have improved their reading age in 1 term of using Accelerated Reader and the library - fantastic!