Reading

Implementation

PHONICS TEACHING:

As a school we follow the Twinkl DfE approved systematic synthetic phonics programme, providing a cohesive approach supported by our home reading scheme.

There are 4 key elements we teach the children to master

Rapid recall of GPCs (letter sounds)
Rapid recall of tricky/common exception words
Efficient blending skills
Efficient segmenting skills

Daily structured phonic sessions in the Early Years and Year 1
Interventions and targeted support continues throughout the school as required (informed by rigorous assessment throughout the year)

Reading for pleasure and developing reading skills are part of all pupils daily learning in a range of ways.

Pupils are expected to read regularly in school and at home to practice reading skills to develop word reading, fluency and comprehension.

We have a well-stocked library which is managed by our HLTA. It has an electronic system which allows pupils to browse and borrow books regularly.

In Reception:

Phonics and word reading is taught following the Twinkl scheme
Reading with an adult in school at least once a week – books home reviewed and changed
Books sent home in-line with phonic teaching – we encourage at least 2 reads of a text. The first for decoding and the second and subsequent reads for fluency and comprehension
Book corner for use during independent learning time
We have selected 5 texts for each half term, Our Favourite Five for repetition, learning by heart and to develop vocabulary and discussion.
We also have a poetry basket as part of our reading spine to expose children to different types of poems and rhymes.

In Key Stage One

In Year 1 Phonics and word reading is taught following the Twinkl scheme
Year 2 Phonics gaps are assessed and revisited as part of spelling, English and 1:1 reading
Reading with an adult in school at least once a week – books home reviewed and changed
Books sent home in-line with phonic teaching – we encourage at least 2 reads of a text. The first for decoding and the second and subsequent reads for fluency and comprehension
Book corner for use during independent learning time
We have selected 5 texts for each half term, Our Favourite Five for repetition, learning by heart and to develop vocabulary and discussion.
We also have a poetry basket as part of our reading spine to expose children to different types of poems and rhymes.
Reading comprehension and vocabulary is developed through book talk and continuous provision

In Key Stage Two

Reading is taught explicitly through the Literacy Tree ‘Literacy Leaves’
Classes have book corners where age-specific texts are available
Pupils not yet fluent readers are heard by an adult regularly in school
Pupils are expected to read texts aloud as part of class learning
Class teacher regularly read aloud to pupils
Pupils are given time to read quietly within the school day
As children progress through the scheme to ‘free reader’, a selection of ‘new to free reader’ texts is specifically available for these children. Throughout KS 2, books are self-selected and this becomes more focused on reading for pleasure. Adults and peers advise and recommend books/authors to provide opportunities for discussion about themes and conventions across a wide range of reading.

We all use the language of VIPERS as an acronym to aid the recall of key reading domains from the National Curriculum. They are the key areas which we feel children need to know and understand in order to improve their comprehension of texts.

V = Vocabulary

I = Infer

P =Predict

E = Explain

R = Retrieve

S = Sequence (KS 1) Summarise (KS 2)

WIDER DEVELOPMENT OF READING SKILLS:

As a school that nurtures every individual reader, we provide abundant opportunities to celebrate a love of the written word.

Annually celebrate World Book Day
Reading Nest – an after school club
Volunteers to hear readers
Displays across the school
Book corners in every classroom
Buddies to support reading across classes
Books available at playtime and lunchtime
Daily story times
High level class texts – chosen to compliment or enhance aspects of the curriculum
All staff have access to recommended books lists to help them make decisions about appropriate high quality texts to use
Books lists are on the website for children and parents to access
Time given for independent reading
A diverse and evolving library that the children use regularly to enhance the whole curriculum, this includes audio books, picture books, novels and non-fiction texts
Weekly library visits to make personal choices of texts to take home and enjoy
Engagement with Summer Reading Challenge and Library services
Text led enrichment day at Christmas plus whole school visit to text based Pantomime