These books were used by pupils at a special school for pupils with learning difficulties. The pupils are aged 11 to 16 and the school runs a Better Reading Partnership Scheme. These books are ideal to use for this scheme as they have a low reading age but are age appropriate for our pupils.

They have proved popular especially with the boys and captured their interest. The mix of fiction and non-fiction in the same book is great and some of our pupils have remembered facts they have read and passed these on to staff which has boosted their self esteem.

The simple text makes use of high frequency words and introduces new words which are repeated throughout the book. This provides opportunities for practise and over learning. Wildcats provides texts on a wide range of topics so there is always something to match to pupil's interest.

Wildcats are colourful and brightly illustrated capturing pupil's interest immediately. The fonts used are varied and the illustrations provided a visual cue to the texts. SEN pupils need all these visual clues to aid reading and Wildcats provide them.

Heather Wignall, Astley Park School , Chorley

72 books altogether arranged in 6 levels each with 12 titles

• Each book is an anthology of different genres and text-types, both fiction and non-fiction
• Support materials include:
• Lesson plans
• Copymasters for writing activities
• Teaching notes for KS3
• Standard size and format throughout
• Text presentation is uncluttered and illustrations are in full colour
• Series specifically designed for Guided Reading
• Each anthology contains 4 short reads in a variety of texts
• Gradient of difficulty = NC level 1 ~ level 4
• Offers arrange of fiction and non-fiction in every book and a wide variety of text type and layout throughout the series
• High quality of presentation
• The contents of each anthology are brief, attractive and distinctive
• Can be used flexibly to match the competency and development of individuals or groups
• Selection can be made to link with NLS framework in terms of text types and level of challenge from year to year

Bridging Bands, UK Reading Recovery National Network

Wildcats offers an extensive variety of genres, illustrators, brilliant photographs and writing styles. Beautifully produced for guided, shared and independent reading.

Times Educational Supplement

We are using Wildcats' Tiger, Bobcat and Panther levels in school and also the accompanying Adventure Journals and Teachers Books.
The books motivated the pupils to read because of the varied nature of the texts and the high interest level of the subjects. They have contributed to a general improvement in the reading ages of our low ability children.

The books have a comprehensive range of appropriately themed reading resources with accompanying written activities. The books also provide good support for the teacher through lesson plans.

We have a number of year 7-9 pupils who have low reading ability. They require simple reading material, which is of high interest to their age group and is stimulating anf thought provoking. Wildcats provide this!
The emphases laid down in the teacher's notes have provided the basis of checklists for pupil's attainment.

The 7 best things about Wildcats are:
1. The high interest texts with low age readability
2. The excellent illustrations - particularly the use of photographs
3. Good variety of text within each book
4. Opportunities to extend pupil's vocabulary
5. The teacher Lesson Plans and pupil journals are very comprehensive
6. Our local rep is very helpful
7. Special offers available at the time of ordering

Little Hampton Community School, West Sussex

An extended series of high-interest books for lower ability readers at the first three key stages, ranging from 'Cougars' (reading age -6) to 'Panthers' (reading age -11). All six levels within the series come in multiple packs: six copies of each title. Lesson Plans/Teacher's Notes available for each level.

National Literacy Association (NLA)

We use Storyteller, Literacy Links Plus, Story Steps, and Wildcats in school. We have used Kingscourt / McGraw-Hill resources for five years.

The resources are linked very well to the National Literacy Strategy and have solved a lot of problems when first setting up and then building up the resources gradually.
We feel absolutely that Kingscourt / McGraw-Hill understand our needs. Our local representative is excellent. They keep us up to date with all the new literacy development, meeting with our Literacy Consultant for all the latest news. The materials and resources are tailored to the demands of the National Literacy Strategy and all the new initiatives. This makes my job much easier.

We value the service of our local rep, the range of materials and the features of the materials, the quick and easy ordering and delivery, and the teacher support.

Ings Farm School, Redcar

Our Literacy levels have improved steadily with Kingscourt’s Wildcats scheme as an integral part of our school literacy development programme.

We have used Wildcats for 1 Year. We chose Kingscourt because of the quality of their guided schemes. The Teacher’s Books and the easy to follow assessment sheets save time.

Y Graig Junior School

We have been using Wildcats for approximately 18 months. We looked at various other reading resources and found that Kingscourt best suited our school’s needs in terms of range of genre, ability levels and coverage of a wide range of topics to suit both boys and girls.

We use the resources both during Guided Reading and independent sessions. The Wildcats are perfect for our Key Stage 2 pupils who may be lower level readers but need interesting and stimulating resources aimed at their age group interests.
Each Adventure Journal gives the teacher an opportunity to keep a record of the child’s ongoing progress, as well as allowing the child to keep track of their own progress.

Coney Hill Primary School

I bought this resource because we needed some SEN materials, and I had used these successfully in previous jobs. I like the wide range of material which extends children’s general knowledge. The children like the fact that it’s appropriate for their age range. It is used for small group ‘catch-up’ work across Key Stage 2, mainly Years 4-6. We use this resource for reading, plus use some of the activities. It covers a wide range of genres and we have seen improvement in comprehension as well as reading.

Charmian Boyes – Frith Manor School , London

I purchased this resource because I wanted to use of recognised, good resources which are suitable for all year groups. I like the visual aids in this resource, and there are clear instructions for pupils and staff. The children enjoy the interesting reading material.

I use this resource for low ability group work with Years 8 + 9, for periods of 1 lesson a week, over a term. Students with reading and comprehension difficulties achieve an interest in reading. There are clear guidelines and the ability to choose topics to fit students’ needs and interests.

Bren Corr – George Eliot Community School , Warwickshire

We like the fact that the Wildcat books are non-fiction which appeals to our many boys. They also have positive multi-cultural role models in them which is very important for our very ethnically diverse school. The children enjoy the bright colours and ‘quirky’ facts.

We use the Wildcat resources in Reading Club, where pupils work with a ‘buddy’, and in Induction Class to improve reading and working. EAL pupils from NC Level 1 secure use this resource (we use a very simple scheme for those below this level), and pupils from years 7-11.

Our objective is to get our pupils reading and writing as quickly as possible in English. If they are literate in their own language they can go from NC level Step 2 – NC level 4.3 in 3-4 months! 1 pupil arrived at NC Step 2 in March. It was June before we could start her on Wildcats, and she was on the Cougar books. By the end of July her progress was such that her English teacher wanted to know how she had done this.

Wildcats fitted in easily with our Reading Club needs and has had major impact on the progress of those using it.

Leonie Garland – Mayfield School , Dagenham

We purchased this resource to use with SEN pupils. We like the content of the books – short and interesting – there is a group element but they are able to work individually at their own pace. The children enjoy reading the stories and doing the practical work – e.g. slime.

We are using this resource for weekly sessions with Year 7, 8 and 9 SEN pupils. The content appeals to boys and girls – reading is encouraged for understanding. Pupils find it accessible and it helps confidence, stimulates discussion and research. I enjoy the content matter and lessons are well planned – thanks.

Mrs C. B. Moore – Newbridge High School , Leicestershire  

We purchased this resource for MLD and low literacy students. I like the age appropriate themes and the children like the music information, and we use it as part of a phonetically based reading ‘recovery’ scheme. We have seen up to 4 years’ improvement in 6 weeks (NFER before + after tests).

Mrs B. C. Trueman – Prospect School , Reading

We purchased this resource for our student support reading library. I like the fact that this resource has excellent topics, it is well researched with lots of relevant photos and pictures and it really appeals. The children’s favourites are books on animals (scary ones) and extreme sports etc.

We use this resource with learners that are struggling with literacy in a group session, and for ‘catch-up’. We also use it for individual supported 1:1 sessions. The resource has a range of suitable books to reinforce literacy objectives and the topics motivate the students into finishing the book – the length makes them achievable.

F. Newberry – Ringwood School , Hampshire

We purchased this resource to boost our reading scheme resources. I like the variety of topics covered and the variety of text styles used across the levels. The children like the fact that most books have some fiction and some factual information covering a huge range of topics.

We use this resource with our Year 5 and Year 6 classes as home reading books monitored on a regular basis to assess reading development. The books encourage the children to recognise that information can be delivered in different ways. We have noticed the enthusiasm towards reading is improved and the children are encouraged to share new information.

Mrs E. Vermeulen – Sherwin Knight Junior School , Kent

We purchased this resource to support the Hi Five Fischer Family Trust programme. I like the fact that the books are interesting and that they are at the right reading level for the lower ability readers. The children like the short amount of text with supportive pictures. Schools in the LA use this resource for intensive literacy programmes. We have seen good progress used in conjunction with the Fischer Family Trust programme.

Carolyn Harvey – The Widmore Centre, Bromley

This resource was useful to ‘dip into’ for Year 4 and Year 6 pupils.

We have taken these out with us on school visits and they have been very well received. Beautiful illustrations, clear text and different presentation styles are some of the comments teachers have made.

Rosie Bennett / Lynn Pickering / Bernadette Laws – Thorley Hill SPLD Base, Bishops Stortford