Intent

The aim of our reading curriculum is to:

• Equip children with the skills to become confident, fluent and engaged readers.
• Enable children to become familiar with a wide range of texts, genres, authors.
• Children learn to read so that they can read to learn and access the wider curriculum and apply these skills to the wider world.

How does our Reading curriculum link with our school values?

 We develop tolerance and respect by reading about different cultures.

 We challenge ourselves in reading and persevere when we find things difficult. 

 We read challenging texts developing our stamina and a love of reading.

 We read to learn about other people and to learn more about ourselves. We develop compassion this way.

Reading at Holy Family

At Holy Family, Reading is key priority within our curriculum. We aspire for all of our children to leave in Year 6 with the key skills necessary to be competent and confident readers. 

Phonics

We deliver consistent, systematic, progressive and high-quality phonics teaching from the start of EYFS- Year 1. As a school, we follow Little Wandle Letters and Sounds as our phonics scheme. This scheme is validated by the Department of Education and follows an evidence-based structure.

Please see our Early Reading and Phonics page for further details

Teaching Reading

As our children progress through the Little Wandle phonics scheme they are taught to read through our reading practise sessions (see below). As they exit the Little Wandle scheme, the children continue to be taught to read fluently in small groups using our book banded books. As they move into KS2, our children continue to be taught to read in whole class sessions. In KS2 those children identified as working towards expectations will have well-planned provisions to suit their needs, there is provision in place for some of these children to continue working on the phonics programme where needed. 

What is covered within our whole-class reading sessions?

• Draw on knowledge of vocabulary to understand texts (Vocabulary)
• Identify/explain key aspects of fiction and non-fiction texts, such as characters, events, titles and information
• Identify and explain the sequence of events in texts
• Make inferences from the text (using reasoning skills to interpret beyond the literal).
• Predict what might happen on the basis of what has been read so far
• Deduction – coming to a logical conclusion from the information/evidence available (inference)
• Skimming and Scanning

Story time

We recognise the value of reading to children and this dedicated time allows our children to experience and enjoy high-quality literature. This time allows us to share a love of reading and exposes children to texts they might not choose independently. We use a variety of picture books, poetry, longer fiction and non-fiction to mirror the wider world of literature. Where opportunities arise, we encourage comprehension and discussion.

Celebrating reading

We celebrate special events, such as World Book Day with a new focus each year e.g. dressing up as a word and decorating classroom doors. We hold regular book fairs, which are always a popular event! The book fairs also help to fund the cost of purchasing new and exciting books for our library and reading areas. 

Reading environment

Children regularly visit our beautiful school library. In our library, we ensure that we have a range of high-quality literature, including; poetry, picture books (for all ages), fiction, classics and non-fiction. Children are encouraged to take home one reading book and one sharing book each week to develop their love of reading.

There is a reading area within each classroom so that the children have access to books during the school day.