Reading

At Beechwood we put reading at the heart of everything that we do. Reading is an essential life skill and we believe that reading is of vital importance to all children. It is our moral duty to ensure that all children in our care are taught how to read and how to understand what they have read and link it to their own lives and experiences.

Intent

The intent of the reading curriculum is:

• to foster a love of reading and encourage lifelong learning;
• to provide a language rich environment that will not only support their learning across the curriculum but also enrich their lives;
• to read a wide range of fiction and non-fiction books to help them become confident, independent, enthusiastic and reflective readers that are able to formulate responses and express opinions;
• to become effective, competent communicators and good listeners;
• to develop in pupils the confidence, desire and ability to express their views and opinions both orally and in writing;

Implementation

We follow the principles of the National Curriculum 2014 to deliver daily lessons which use a variety of teaching and learning styles. Our principle aim is to develop children’s knowledge, skills, and understanding through teaching and learning which take place within a whole class setting.

Teachers use a variety of interactive teaching methods to deliver the curriculum and achieve set learning objectives. Whilst there is a high proportion of whole-class and group teaching, independent reading activity gives an opportunity to embed and enhance their learning. The children have the opportunity to experience a wide range of texts, and to support their work with a variety of resources. Over the academic year, each class will cover a balance of narrative, non-fiction and poetry genres.

Reading is also taught through cross curricular links and is embedded throughout every subject. In addition to this, in the EYFS and Key Stage One, a daily phonics session is taught.

Alongside whole class reading, children have access to levelled books which support the development of their individual reading skills. In Reception, children take home books that match their phonics level which builds confidence, allows the application of phonics and is within their understanding. All of the individual reading books that go home are levelled according to phonics and this carries on through to Year 1 until children have completed the Phase 5 books.

In Years Two to Six, children progress onto Accelerated Reader which offers personalised individual reading levels based on half-termly STAR assessments. There is an expectation that parents/carers will hear their child read at least 4 times during the week in Key Stage 1. Independent reading should take place at least 3 times during the week in Key Stage 2. 

Why do we learn to read at school?

• To gain knowledge.
• To allow others to communicate with you.
• To improve your mental health - it reduces stress.
• To expand your vocabulary.
• To improve your memory.
• To improves your focus and concentration.
• It leads to better writing skills.
• To entertain you - you can explore new worlds and understand different people and cultures.

Which jobs will reading help with?

Nearly every job in the world will require you to read.