Drop Everything and Listen

At The Bulmershe School, we believe that reading is the key to success in every subject. This page explains our Drop Everything and Listen (DEAL) programme and how it helps your child develop their vocabulary and cultural knowledge.

What is DEAL?

DEAL is a weekly literacy programme that takes place during tutor time for students in Year 7 to Year 10. For 20 minutes each session, students stop their usual activities to listen to a fluent reader (their tutor) read a carefully selected book. While the tutor reads, students follow along with their own copy of the text.

This approach is slightly different from traditional quiet reading. By listening to a capable reader, students can hear how words are pronounced, understand the emotion in a story and get past difficult words without stopping.

Why we use the DEAL programme

We have introduced this initiative to create a strong reading culture across the whole school. There are several key benefits for your child:

• Improved Literacy: Listening to a fluent reader helps students understand complex sentences and new vocabulary.
• Reduced Stress: DEAL provides a calm, focused start to the day where students can enjoy a story without the pressure of being tested.
• Equal Access: By reading together as a group, we ensure that every student has access to high quality, challenging books regardless of their reading level.
• Cultural Capital: We choose books that explore different life experiences, ethics and social structures to help students understand the world around them.

The Reading Spine for 2026

We have carefully chosen a reading list (or "Reading Spine") that grows with your child as they move through the school. Each year group focuses on a specific theme:

• Year 7: Adventure and Identity Students explore the "Hero’s Journey" and what it means to find your place in the world. Books include Nic Blake and the Remarkables by Angie Thomas and Percy Jackson by Rick Riordan.
• Year 8: Resilience and Mindset The focus is on how people respond to challenges, whether through survival stories or developing a "growth mindset". Books include The Enemy by Charlie Higson and You Are Awesome by Matthew Syed.
• Year 9: Justice and Society Students look at social structures, ethics and the consequences of our choices. Books include Noughts and Crosses by Malorie Blackman and The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins.
• Year 10: Courage and Voice As students begin their GCSE journey, they read texts about the power of education and speaking up. Books include I Am Malala by Malala Yousafzai and Run, Rebel by Manjeet Mann.

How you can support at home

You do not need to buy these books as we provide them in school. However, you can help your child by asking them what happened in their DEAL book this week. Discussing the plot or the characters at home is a great way to improve their memory and comprehension skills.

Frequently Asked Questions

• What if my child finds the book too difficult? Because the tutor reads the book aloud, students can follow the story even if some of the vocabulary is new to them. This is the best way for them to learn those new words.
• Does my child have to read out loud? No. DEAL is about listening and following along. This removes the "sticking points" that can sometimes make reading feel like a chore for some students.
• Is DEAL just for English lessons? No, this happens during tutor time. We want students to see that reading is an essential life skill, not just a subject for the classroom.

Contact us

If you have any questions about our literacy programmes or would like advice on how to support your child with their reading, please contact your child’s tutor or the English Department.