The Reading Road Trip has quickly become a celebrated initiative across all three Compass International School campuses. The idea was initially inspired through collaboration with a teacher in the UK who had successfully implemented the program in her school. After reviewing the original design, our marketing team helped develop the concept further by creating certificates and a beautifully designed Reading Passport.
Collaboration has been at the heart of the program’s success. Working closely with the English Leads at Themaid, Michelle Majocha, and Madinat Khalifa, Katherine Henderson, we discussed how the initiative could be implemented consistently across all campuses. Together with the marketing and procurement teams, we ensured the program had a strong visual impact and sufficient resources. Clear guidelines were created for parents and teachers to guarantee smooth and effective implementation. Planning also included how the Reading Road Trip would be displayed in classrooms and providing teachers with the resources they needed. Since its launch, we have continued monitoring the initiative’s progress and the stages children are reaching on their Reading Road Trip.
In the Year 2 classroom, the Reading Road Trip has had a significant impact on students’ confidence and enthusiasm for reading. Children have grown in confidence and developed a desire to keep improving their reading skills. This confidence has positively influenced learning across the curriculum, as students are now more able to access tasks involving reading and approach them with enjoyment. Celebrating milestones has become a source of pride, while phonics understanding has strengthened, and many students are making strong progress through their Oxford Reading Levels.
Children encourage both their peers and themselves, creating a supportive and motivated reading culture. Each week, time is set aside for students to explore their Reading Passports, keeping enthusiasm and motivation high. Many now choose to read independently in the reading corner, demonstrating a genuine interest in reading for pleasure.
The Reading Passport motivates students by providing exciting destinations for them to work towards. Children across the school often share their achievements enthusiastically. Receiving a physical certificate and seeing their progress displayed in classrooms reinforces their sense of success. Achievements are also acknowledged in weekly assemblies and on Class Dojo, encouraging students to reach the next checkpoint and continue their reading journey.
One memorable success story is Avaz, a student at Madinat Khalifa. Although he initially knew very little English, the Reading Road Trip motivated him greatly. He has already earned multiple certificates, and his enthusiasm for the challenge has contributed to noticeable improvement in his English acquisition. Avaz exemplifies the impact the program can have on student development.
Fostering a love of reading early on is essential for a child’s academic and personal growth. Reading lays the foundation for strong language and communication skills that support learning across all subjects. Children who enjoy reading are more likely to develop imagination, creativity, and curiosity. Reading builds confidence, independence, and resilience while strengthening concentration and critical thinking, helping students become more effective learners. Most importantly, reading can bring joy and comfort, supporting emotional well-being and helping children develop a lifelong positive relationship with learning.
Families are encouraged to support the Reading Road Trip at home. During ‘Meet the Teacher’ meetings at the start of the academic year, the program was introduced to families, allowing parents to ask questions and clarify any aspects of the initiative. Guidance is shared on Class Dojo, outlining expectations for both term time and holidays. Teachers remain well-informed to support families consistently and received training at the start of the year.
The initiative is celebrated in class assemblies, helping parents feel involved. During term time, reading counts when children read to themselves, including phonics books, library books, and Oxford Reading Tree books. Over the holidays, children can read in any language they speak or enjoy reading with an adult. They are encouraged to explore a variety of materials such as magazines, storybooks, e-books, and poetry to make reading flexible and enjoyable. In Early Years, both independent reading and being read to count, fostering a love of reading from the very start.
Looking ahead, the hope is that the Reading Road Trip will continue to grow and inspire students across Compass International School. The program aims to develop and nurture a love of reading that lasts throughout school and beyond. Each year will feature new themes to maintain motivation, with this year focusing on countries and the next academic year set to feature a space theme. The Reading Road Trip promises to continue sparking curiosity, joy, and achievement for students across all campuses.
