We believe that the ability to read is, perhaps, one of the most important of all life skills. Reading enables you to access and learn about the world. It improves your vocabulary and communication. It develops your imagination and creativity. It helps you build relationships. It improves your self-esteem.
As a consequence, reading forms a crucial part of our curriculum and we work relentlessly to ensure that all of our pupils can read competently and confidently by the time they leave. We do this as follows:
Synthetic Phonics
Some pupils’ reading is supported through our delivery of synthetic phonics, for which we use the Read, Write Inc. programme. We have chosen this programme because it follows a systematic approach and is designed to ensure progress for every child regardless of their starting point. For older pupils who require phonics support, we deliver the ‘Fresh Start’ programme. These programmes are delivered through 1:1 or small group interventions by a trained practitioner.
A Text Rich Approach
Our English curriculum is based on the structure set out in the Power of Reading. This means that every pupil access high-quality and age-related texts and is exposed to big ideas. This helps them develop their understanding of literary forms, wider knowledge of the world, empathy for the human experience and language competency. The literature also forms an excellent basis for high quality discussion and developing reading into writing.
DEAR Time
Every day our pupils Drop Everything And Read (DEAR). We use DEAR time to ensure pupils develop a love of reading through a variety of activities including independent reading, story time and shared reading experiences.
Reciprocal Reading
As a school we encourage reciprocal reading. This approach is based around four key learning points:
Prediction
Questioning
Clarification
Summarising.
Reading Spaces
In order to engender a culture of reading every classroom has its own reading area and Key Stage 2 has a dedicated reading room. This provides focused and appropriate settings for reading and helps encourage reading for pleasure.