Oaklands Primary School is a medium sized community primary school situated in the town of Aberaman in the Cynon Valley.

In the school’s last Estyn report the inspector highlighted the fact that in all key subjects, and at both Key Stages 1 and 2, girls tended to achieve more highly than boys. Recognising this as an issue, the school has sought to redress the balance by introducing a broad based approach to improving boys’ reading – tackling the problem from a number of angles.

A key element of the school’s approach is the Catch Up Literacy programme. Staff at Oaklands find the scheme very helpful in targeting boys with poor reading skills and tracking their progress.

The school is also working to attract boys to use the school library and it has made efforts to make sure that it stocks the types of reading materials likely to appeal to their interests – such as football magazines and books. As a way of encouraging boys into the library, staff have organised competitions designed to appeal specifically to boys. In addition, the Year 6 girls who help run the library keep notes on the books and magazines that boys use and look for – to help inform the selection of new materials for the collection.

As an enthusiastic participant in the Read a Million Words in Wales scheme Oaklands school was recently chosen to receive a donation of books from Brace's Bakery – a local company that has lent its support to the scheme. As Victoria Moseley, literacy co-ordinator at the school, says: ‘Our expanded library is a big boost of encouragement for the children. Not only can pupils read in their lunch break if they wish but they also have the opportunity to take the books home and read with their family and friends.’

To help reinforce the message that reading is fun, Oaklands recently organised a number of drama workshops, which were a great success with both boys and with girls. Using boy-orientated books, such as Tom’s Midnight Garden, as source material the workshops proved helpful in encouraging boys to get back into reading or to read more.

As Victoria Moseley comments: ‘One of the keys to our recent success in motivating boys to read is the school’s “whole-staff” approach. All our staff make a special effort to include boy-friendly books in their teaching. In Year 3, for example, teachers are using the Horrid Henry titles, which are a great hit with both boys and girls. We also think it is important to note children’s achievements so we put a lot of effort into displays which help to celebrate their successes and promote reading.’