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St Thomas' CE Primary School
St Clement & St James CE Primary School
St Thomas' Federation - Stronger together
School Gateway
Reading
“Books are sometimes windows, offering views of worlds that may be real or imagined, familiar or strange. These windows are also sliding glass doors, and readers have only to walk through to become part of whatever world has been created.Or a window can be a mirror. Literature therefore transforms human experience and reflects it back to us, and in that reflection we can see our own lives and experiences as part of the larger human experience." (multiple sources)
At St Thomas’ Federation reading is given the highest priority so that pupils can successfully access the full curriculum and develop a life-long love of learning. We want children to become enthusiastic and reflective readers, who appreciate the written word as an art form. We want pupils to read so that they develop their knowledge of themselves and the world they live in, and to establish an appreciation and love of reading. Reading feeds pupils’ imagination and opens up a treasure house of wonder and joy for curious young minds.
We believe that we need to foster an enjoyment of reading alongside the skills to decode and comprehend effectively. Our Phonics and Early Reading curriculum from EYFS to Y2 is planned to ensure children are fluent decoders. Once children are able to read fluently (100+ words-per-minute or WPM), they move into a whole-class guided reading approach, which has a continued focus on building reading fluency so they are able to comprehend age appropriate texts. Our Reading curriculum (Y2 - Y6) ensures that our students are exposed to a wide variety of literature from different cultures and moments in time. Reading is not simply taught discretely at St Thomas’ Federation, it is at the heart of our curriculum and plays an important part in all subjects throughout the primary years.
We are a Reading School
- We visit the local library regularly.
- We read whole books in our lessons and storytime.
- We have sets of books in reading and writing lessons which we share one between two.
- We have beautiful book areas in every class which often get restocked with nee books.
- We can read books outside at playtimes.
- We have story time every day after our lunch break in all classes.
- The school sometimes gives us free books to take home and keep.
- Authors come to visit us and read to us.
- We take books home from school to read every day..
- We are expected to read every day.
- Our teachers recommend books to us.
- We have opportunities to talk about the books we like to read.
Reading is taught through a variety of means and ensures that the recommendations of the Reading Framework 2023 take place.
- Each class has daily reading lessons.
- Phonics is taught regularly from the Foundation Stage up to Year 2, and where needed, into KS2. All staff are trained in our phonics programme and receive regular CPD in this area so they can support pupils no matter what year they are in.
- English units of work are based around a carefully selected core text.
- Reading takes place across the curriculum, and reading skills are applied.
- We have a book-based curriculum - stories are often used to enhance learning, provide background knowledge, aid discussions and stimulate ideas. For example, in history, RSHE and RE.
- Story time takes place every day in every class.
- Stories are shared in assemblies;
- We regularly have reading lessons which include ‘book talk’: time to recommend, browse, and discuss books.
- Special reading events such as ‘World Book Day’, storytelling sessions, visiting authors and poets and reading competitions.
- One to one reading with staff and volunteer readers.
- Fluency interventions.
- Reading is assessed regularly by staff, and children are given clear, focused next-steps-for-learning so they know what they need to work on in order to improve.
Home Reading
It is vital that children practise their reading at home by being heard by an adult or older sibling. This is just as important for older children who are decoding texts fluently – they may be able to read the words, but they also need opportunities to discuss the meaning of the texts they are reading as often as possible.
Key Stage Two (Years 3-6)
Children take home a book of their choice and a reading diary. Teachers and teaching assistants ensure that the level of the book the child takes home is appropriate and carefully monitor the amount children are reading at home.
Children in KS2 should read for half an hour every day. They record their reading comments in their reading diary and have it signed by an adult to be checked in school. We encourage children to read a wide range of authors and text types which they find in everyday life, as well as books.
Foundation Stage and Key Stage One (Years 1 and 2)
For younger children, little and often is most effective; learning to read is a hard and tiring process to begin with. Parents should read with their child for about 15 minutes each day.
There are two types of reading book that your child will bring home, as well as a reading diary:
- A reading practice book - This will be at the correct phonic stage for your child. Your child should be able to read this to you fluently and independently. We highly recommend that you use this book for reading practice.
- A sharing book - Your child will not be able to read this on their own. This is a book for you to read to your child.
Reading Practice Book
This book has been carefully matched to your child’s current reading level. If your child is reading it with little help, please don’t worry that it’s too easy - your child needs to develop fluency and confidence in reading.
Listen to them read the book. Remember to give them lots of praise and celebrate their success! If they can’t read a word, read it to them. After they have finished, talk about the book together. Please let us know how your child has read their reading practice book by commenting in the reading diary.
Sharing a Book
Children love to listen to stories being read or told and it is important that they learn to read for pleasure. This book was chosen by your child from the class library. Please remember that this book is for you to read to your child. Together, you can enjoy the story, discuss the pictures, predict what might happen next, use different voices for the characters or explore the facts in a non-fiction book. The main thing is that you have fun!