Welcome to the second edition of our ExemplaRS series, which celebrates some of the great work being carried out in our secondary Reading Schools across the country. Focusing on a particular key area each time, we hope to provide schools with ideas and inspiration, but also to help showcase the range of experiences a key area can cover.
This page covers the work of secondary schools across Scotland. If you’re keen to see the work of primary schools in this key area, explore ExemplaRS Edition 2: Primary Reading Schools.
Staff across the school demonstrate how they are readers themselves; the normalisation of reading for pleasure as an activity for everyone throughout their life.
Staff across all departments – classroom teachers, additional needs assistants and senior managers – all got involved in this ‘Guess the Reader’ competition at Eyemouth High School in the Scottish Borders.
Dumfries High School ran a competition in Book Week Scotland to match the teacher with their favourite book. Prizes and house points were available to the winning pupils. Staff involved have a photo holding their favourite books on their classroom doors.
Staff at Culloden Academy in the Highlands set the scene for a challenge to ‘Take your book on an adventure and capture a photo of yourself reading it in the most exciting, unusual or adventurous place you can think of. '
Some of the pupil committee at Turriff Academy in Aberdeenshire wrapped up some new books that were gifted to the teachers, challenging them to read them over the summer and bring back a book review!
In December, staff at Chryston High School in North Lanarkshire were invited to participate in Secret Santa – with a bookish theme! Around 20 staff were involved, with the Library Ambassadors responsible for delivering the books to recipients. This project was really enjoyable for all involved and brought about several conversations about their favourite books between staff and pupils who witnessed the deliveries!
Bannerman High School in Glasgow has started a Senior and Staff book club. The conversations between pupils and staff about books they have both read, or hope to read, have been so interesting. They also run an online book club via a Teams page.
Teachers as readers guide – Reading Schools(this will open in a new window)
Resource: Staff being seen as readers themselves(this will open in a new window)
Case study: Visible staff role modelling at St. Vincent's primary school(this will open in a new window)
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