At our school, we believe reading is the foundation of learning and a gateway to imagination, knowledge, and lifelong success. We aim to foster not only the ability to read fluently but also a genuine love of books in every child.
Children are taught to read through a balance of phonics, fluency, and comprehension. In the early years, daily phonics teaching ensures children develop secure decoding skills. As pupils progress, we place a strong emphasis on fluency, vocabulary, and discussion, enabling them to make sense of and enjoy a wide range of texts.
From Year 2 onwards, reading is taught mainly through whole-class lessons. In these sessions, all children study the same high-quality text together. Teachers model fluent reading, introduce ambitious vocabulary, and guide pupils to explore meaning at a deeper level. Lessons focus on developing children’s understanding of what they read through rich discussion, thoughtful questioning, and opportunities to share ideas. This shared approach ensures every child is exposed to high-quality language and stories, while support and challenge are built in so that all learners can succeed.
Our reading spine includes both classic and contemporary works, chosen to reflect a diverse range of voices and experiences, so that every child can see themselves in books and also step into new worlds.
We also celebrate reading beyond the classroom with a well-stocked library, regular author visits, themed events, and opportunities for children to share and recommend books.
Our goal is for every child to leave our school as a confident, fluent reader who values reading as a source of joy, curiosity, and understanding.