![\"\"](\"http:\/\/zenashapter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/Bethany-Junior-School-Zena-Year-4-p2-scaled.jpeg\")
<\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n8 Years Old:<\/h3>\n\n\n\n\n- \u2022Reading age: 10yrs+<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- \u2022English: 32% above year average<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- \u2022Maths: 26% above year average<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- \u2022\u201cZena is working well and making steady progress.\u201d Class Teacher<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- \u2022\u201cA quiet, pleasant member of the class who is working well.\u201d Head Teacher<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
9 Years Old:<\/h3>\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"http:\/\/zenashapter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/Bethany-Junior-School-Zena-Year-5-p2-1024x744.jpeg\")
<\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n- \u2022Reading age: 12yrs+<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- \u2022English: 8% above year average<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- \u2022Maths: 26% above year average<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- \u2022\u201cZena has maintained good progress this year. She does however need to slow down a little so that she has time to think about what the question is really asking. She is always reliable and helpful in class.\u201d Class Teacher<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- \u2022\u201cA good report in the main but she must pay attention to the quality of her work as well as the quantity. A very pleasant, helpful girl.\u201d Head Teacher<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
![\"\"](\"http:\/\/zenashapter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/Bethany-Junior-School-Zena-Year-6-p2-1024x744.jpeg\")
<\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n10 Years Old:<\/h3>\n\n\n\n\n- \u2022Reading age: 12yrs+ (no older books in the school)<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- \u2022English: 22% above year average<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- \u2022Maths: 27% above year average<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- \u2022\u201cZena is a steady, competent and conscientious worker. She is well motivation, eager to learn and can always be relied upon to do her best.\u201d Class Teacher <\/li>\n\n\n\n
- \u2022\u201cA good report. Well done, Zena.\u201d Head Teacher<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
11 Years Old+<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
At 11 years old, I then passed the 11+ exam and went to Bournemouth Grammar School for Girls, a bit of a commute from where I lived, but worth every mile. My dad was a cook and my mum was a cleaner, so could only afford a second hand uniform and basic supplies, but I didn\u2019t care \u2013 the library was extensive and was to become my sanctuary for the next seven years. It was a thrill just to walk through its doors, especially after having to use my local public library for so long.<\/p>\n\n\n
\n![\"\"](\"http:\/\/zenashapter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/Boscombe-Library-1024x405.jpg\")
<\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\nMy local public library was Boscombe Library, and I should have been elated whenever my mum offered to take me, because it also had an extensive book collection. But I was distinctly disenchanted, and have only just remembered why…<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Because of my reading age. The books designated for my age group didn’t challenge me, reading as too young, almost babyish. Whereas the books that did interest me, which would have challenged me, always exceeded the age restrictions on my library card. So there was never anything interesting for me to read! <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Once, I recall trying to sneakily borrow an older book. The librarian told me quite sternly to go back and pick another. I was so horrified with embarrassment I didn\u2019t try again.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I’ve also recalled another memory, or rather a non-memory, about picture books \u2013 in that, I have no recollection of ever reading or being read them! These days, I know quite a few picture book authors and illustrators, and they often discuss their favourite picture books, or which picture books they read when they were children. Usually I just nod and smile and struggle to think of a title, so I can join in conversation. But nothing comes to mind, because the only books I remember reading were chapter books or magazines…<\/p>\n\n\n\n
When I was about 7 years old, my parents did subscribe me to Story Teller magazine<\/a> (Marshall Cavendish, 1982-85). They were both up before dawn and often went to bed past midnight, working to provide for my brother and me, so they didn\u2019t have time to read to either of us. The Story Teller magazines meant I could listen to the stories recorded on cassettes and follow along with the words printed in the magazines.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"http:\/\/zenashapter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/Story-Teller-Magazine-Zena-Shapter.jpg\")
<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"http:\/\/zenashapter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/Story-Teller-Magazine-Zena-Shapter-2.jpg\")
<\/a><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\nThe magazines had images of course, but they were more page decorations, not story aids, and it was the words I was interested in anyway. I still have my Story Teller collection!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I then moved on to read independently \u2013 Roald Dahl, Enid Blyton, Earthstar Magic<\/em> by Ruth Chew, Jennifer and Graeme Curry\u2019s The Sausage Is A Cunning Bird<\/em>, and a set of encyclopaedias my parents found for us, as well as my favourites: The Little House on the Prairie<\/em> books by Laura Ingalls Wilder and Jill Murphy\u2019s Worst Witch<\/em> series. All of which I still also have!<\/p>\n\n\n
9 Years Old:<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n- \u2022Reading age: 12yrs+<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- \u2022English: 8% above year average<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- \u2022Maths: 26% above year average<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- \u2022\u201cZena has maintained good progress this year. She does however need to slow down a little so that she has time to think about what the question is really asking. She is always reliable and helpful in class.\u201d Class Teacher<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- \u2022\u201cA good report in the main but she must pay attention to the quality of her work as well as the quantity. A very pleasant, helpful girl.\u201d Head Teacher<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
<\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n10 Years Old:<\/h3>\n\n\n\n\n- \u2022Reading age: 12yrs+ (no older books in the school)<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- \u2022English: 22% above year average<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- \u2022Maths: 27% above year average<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- \u2022\u201cZena is a steady, competent and conscientious worker. She is well motivation, eager to learn and can always be relied upon to do her best.\u201d Class Teacher <\/li>\n\n\n\n
- \u2022\u201cA good report. Well done, Zena.\u201d Head Teacher<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
11 Years Old+<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
At 11 years old, I then passed the 11+ exam and went to Bournemouth Grammar School for Girls, a bit of a commute from where I lived, but worth every mile. My dad was a cook and my mum was a cleaner, so could only afford a second hand uniform and basic supplies, but I didn\u2019t care \u2013 the library was extensive and was to become my sanctuary for the next seven years. It was a thrill just to walk through its doors, especially after having to use my local public library for so long.<\/p>\n\n\n
\n<\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\nMy local public library was Boscombe Library, and I should have been elated whenever my mum offered to take me, because it also had an extensive book collection. But I was distinctly disenchanted, and have only just remembered why…<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Because of my reading age. The books designated for my age group didn’t challenge me, reading as too young, almost babyish. Whereas the books that did interest me, which would have challenged me, always exceeded the age restrictions on my library card. So there was never anything interesting for me to read! <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Once, I recall trying to sneakily borrow an older book. The librarian told me quite sternly to go back and pick another. I was so horrified with embarrassment I didn\u2019t try again.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I’ve also recalled another memory, or rather a non-memory, about picture books \u2013 in that, I have no recollection of ever reading or being read them! These days, I know quite a few picture book authors and illustrators, and they often discuss their favourite picture books, or which picture books they read when they were children. Usually I just nod and smile and struggle to think of a title, so I can join in conversation. But nothing comes to mind, because the only books I remember reading were chapter books or magazines…<\/p>\n\n\n\n
When I was about 7 years old, my parents did subscribe me to Story Teller magazine<\/a> (Marshall Cavendish, 1982-85). They were both up before dawn and often went to bed past midnight, working to provide for my brother and me, so they didn\u2019t have time to read to either of us. The Story Teller magazines meant I could listen to the stories recorded on cassettes and follow along with the words printed in the magazines.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<\/a><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\nThe magazines had images of course, but they were more page decorations, not story aids, and it was the words I was interested in anyway. I still have my Story Teller collection!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I then moved on to read independently \u2013 Roald Dahl, Enid Blyton, Earthstar Magic<\/em> by Ruth Chew, Jennifer and Graeme Curry\u2019s The Sausage Is A Cunning Bird<\/em>, and a set of encyclopaedias my parents found for us, as well as my favourites: The Little House on the Prairie<\/em> books by Laura Ingalls Wilder and Jill Murphy\u2019s Worst Witch<\/em> series. All of which I still also have!<\/p>\n\n\n
<\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n- \n
- \u2022Reading age: 12yrs+<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- \u2022English: 8% above year average<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- \u2022Maths: 26% above year average<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- \u2022\u201cZena has maintained good progress this year. She does however need to slow down a little so that she has time to think about what the question is really asking. She is always reliable and helpful in class.\u201d Class Teacher<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- \u2022\u201cA good report in the main but she must pay attention to the quality of her work as well as the quantity. A very pleasant, helpful girl.\u201d Head Teacher<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n
10 Years Old:<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
- \n
- \u2022Reading age: 12yrs+ (no older books in the school)<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- \u2022English: 22% above year average<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- \u2022Maths: 27% above year average<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- \u2022\u201cZena is a steady, competent and conscientious worker. She is well motivation, eager to learn and can always be relied upon to do her best.\u201d Class Teacher <\/li>\n\n\n\n
- \u2022\u201cA good report. Well done, Zena.\u201d Head Teacher<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
11 Years Old+<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
At 11 years old, I then passed the 11+ exam and went to Bournemouth Grammar School for Girls, a bit of a commute from where I lived, but worth every mile. My dad was a cook and my mum was a cleaner, so could only afford a second hand uniform and basic supplies, but I didn\u2019t care \u2013 the library was extensive and was to become my sanctuary for the next seven years. It was a thrill just to walk through its doors, especially after having to use my local public library for so long.<\/p>\n\n\n
\n<\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\nMy local public library was Boscombe Library, and I should have been elated whenever my mum offered to take me, because it also had an extensive book collection. But I was distinctly disenchanted, and have only just remembered why…<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Because of my reading age. The books designated for my age group didn’t challenge me, reading as too young, almost babyish. Whereas the books that did interest me, which would have challenged me, always exceeded the age restrictions on my library card. So there was never anything interesting for me to read! <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Once, I recall trying to sneakily borrow an older book. The librarian told me quite sternly to go back and pick another. I was so horrified with embarrassment I didn\u2019t try again.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I’ve also recalled another memory, or rather a non-memory, about picture books \u2013 in that, I have no recollection of ever reading or being read them! These days, I know quite a few picture book authors and illustrators, and they often discuss their favourite picture books, or which picture books they read when they were children. Usually I just nod and smile and struggle to think of a title, so I can join in conversation. But nothing comes to mind, because the only books I remember reading were chapter books or magazines…<\/p>\n\n\n\n
When I was about 7 years old, my parents did subscribe me to Story Teller magazine<\/a> (Marshall Cavendish, 1982-85). They were both up before dawn and often went to bed past midnight, working to provide for my brother and me, so they didn\u2019t have time to read to either of us. The Story Teller magazines meant I could listen to the stories recorded on cassettes and follow along with the words printed in the magazines.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n <\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<\/a><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\nThe magazines had images of course, but they were more page decorations, not story aids, and it was the words I was interested in anyway. I still have my Story Teller collection!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I then moved on to read independently \u2013 Roald Dahl, Enid Blyton, Earthstar Magic<\/em> by Ruth Chew, Jennifer and Graeme Curry\u2019s The Sausage Is A Cunning Bird<\/em>, and a set of encyclopaedias my parents found for us, as well as my favourites: The Little House on the Prairie<\/em> books by Laura Ingalls Wilder and Jill Murphy\u2019s Worst Witch<\/em> series. All of which I still also have!<\/p>\n\n\n