Interviews
How does reading help you do your job at school?
The focus of The National Year of Reading “Go All In” has shifted this term from the classroom to across the whole school.
We therefore decided to interview staff on the wider team at Witham St Hughs Academy to find out their thoughts on reading and how they use reading when they are at work. We asked them the following questions:
- Do you read as part of your job at school, if so, what do you read?
- Do you read when you are not at work? If so, what do you read and when?
Rhianna Popplewell - Admin Assistant
As part of my job, I read e-mails from parents and letters that come in the post, so I know who to pass these onto. I read the registers that come to me from each class and information booklets that help me learn how to use programmes on the computer.
When I am at home, I like to read Harlan Coben stories. I read later on in the evening before I go to sleep.
Gary Nicholson - Site Manager
As part of my job at school, I read e-mails that have been sent to me by the Head Teacher or staff at school. I read forms such as those I need to complete to record fire alarm tests and other weekly records. If we have bought any new furniture at school, I have to read and follow the instruction booklets that describe how to build these.
I love to read non-fiction when I am at home at the weekend and in the evenings. I am reading about Auschwitz at the moment. My real interest is cars – I read lots of books about old cars – cars that were around when I was younger. I also used to read a newspaper – now I read the news online as opposed to a paper copy.
Claire Wells – Office Manager
I read lots of e-mails, agendas for meetings and minutes that are taken as a record of the meetings, either written by me or by someone else. It is important that I read to check for grammar, spelling mistakes and to make sure the minutes truly reflect what was discussed in the meeting. I proofread letters and other forms of communication before they go out to parents and schools, making sure they are correct and make sense. I read school policies and any reading that is linked with any training that I am taking part in.
In the evening, after work, I read to my sons before they go to bed. My eldest son and I are reading Harry Potter together at the moment. I also practice phonics with my younger son. When I climb into bed, I like to read Thrillers before I go to sleep.
Jack Medley – Sports Leader
I love sport and find there is quite a lot of reading I need to do to be able to teach sport and learn about different sports in more detail. I read lesson plans that I have written or that teachers have written for me. I read to be able to gain qualifications to get better at what I do and to complete course work.
Even though I am not a big reader, I enjoy reading to my 1-year-old son and make sure I read to him every night. I do read a lot of articles about sport, different teams and so on to find out more about this area of interest.
Tom Broadley – Music Teacher (Director of Peri Group)
As a music teacher, I read music in a similar way to the way people read words – the notes on the page tell me what to play, for how long and in what way – loud / quiet / quickly / slowly etc. I also read a lot of non-fiction including research about the science of learning, brain development and so on.
When I am not playing or teaching music, I like to listen to audio books. A lot of the books I read are incredibly long, listening to the book being read to me allows me to get through the books quicker – I can listen to them whilst doing something else, perhaps in the gym or in the car. My favourite genre is fantasy, my favourite author is Brandon Sanderson.
Sue Purvis – Midday Leader
I have a lot to read about food, menus and ingredients in meals as part of my job. It is important I read the ingredients carefully to make sure that I know what is in food, especially for those children at school that have an allergy to a type of food. I read registers and information the teachers send me about school trips, so I know who needs packed lunches and when these need to be ready. I write and read rotas for the people within my midday team, so everyone knows what they need to do each day.
When I am not at work I love to read Historical fiction, especially period dramas. I read last thing at night when I go to bed.
Book Reviews
Book reviews will be released shortly
Films
Films will be released shortly
Case Studies
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Wider Releases
Wider Releases will take place shortly