How Parents/Carers Can Help

At Mark Rutherford School, we know that parents and carers play a vital role in supporting literacy beyond the classroom. One of the most effective ways to help is by encouraging your child to read for pleasure at home—just twenty minutes a day can make a significant difference to vocabulary, comprehension, and confidence.

You can support this by helping your child(ren) find books that match their interests, reading together, or discussing what they’ve read. We also recommend using local libraries, which offer free access to a wide range of books and often host reading events and activities for young people.

There are also excellent online resources and apps that can support reading and writing at home. Platforms like Lexia (used in school), Educake, and BBC Bitesize offer engaging, age-appropriate content to reinforce literacy skills. For younger readers or reluctant readers, audiobooks and graphic novels can be a great way to build fluency and enjoyment – with our Space for Learning stocking graphic novels. When it comes to homework, encouraging your child to plan their writing, use subject-specific vocabulary, and proofread their work can help them develop independence and take pride in their literacy.

We believe that literacy is a shared journey, and we’re here to support you every step of the way. If you’d like advice on choosing books, accessing resources, or supporting your child’s reading and writing at home, please don’t hesitate to contact their form tutor, Head of Year or literacy team. Together, we can help every student become a confident, capable communicator.

Useful Links for Parents:

Parents | National Literacy Trust
Literacy and English - BBC Bitesize
Free KS3 English teaching resources | Y7, 8, & 9 | Page 1 of 2 | Oak National Academy