Reading at The Rubicon is a school-wide reading initiative designed to encourage regular, independent reading while supporting the academic, social, and emotional development of students in a Pupil Referral Unit (PRU).

Students take part by choosing a book from the Library and reading it in full. Once they have finished, they write a short summary of the book without revealing key plot details or endings. This summary is given to their English teacher, who checks that the student has read and understood the book. If the tutor is satisfied, they will sign the bottom of the summary form to confirm it. Each signed form represents one completed book, and at the end of the term the student with the most signed summaries will receive a prize, celebrating effort, perseverance, and commitment to reading.

Reading plays a vital role in a PRU setting. Regular reading helps students develop literacy, concentration, and communication skills, while also supporting emotional wellbeing. Through books, students can explore different experiences, build empathy, and develop a better understanding of themselves and others. These benefits help improve confidence, behaviour, and readiness for learning, supporting successful reintegration into education and future pathways.

Alongside this, students can also take part in the Get Caught Reading initiative, which rewards students for being seen reading around the school. Any member of staff can “catch” a student reading and award them a raffle ticket. Each Friday, the raffle is drawn and the winner is announced the following week. The more often a student is caught reading, the more tickets they collect, increasing their chances of winning. Weekly winners are able to choose from a range of prizes.

At the end of each half term, all weekly winners are entered into a special draw to win a larger prize, further recognising consistent effort and promoting a strong, positive reading culture across The Rubicon.