What is our aim in teaching Reading?
Our aim is to help all children become confident, fluent readers who enjoy reading and understand what they read.
We want children to read words accurately and smoothly so they can focus on meaning, ask questions about texts and enjoy a wide range of books.
How does our Reading curriculum work?
Reading begins with strong foundations in listening and sound awareness and develops into fluent reading and deep understanding.
In Preschool, children are not taught formal phonics. Instead, they develop early listening and sound skills using Twinkl Phonics. This prepares them for learning to read in Reception.
From the Foundation Stage (Reception) onwards, we use a phonics programme called Sounds-Write. This programme starts with something children already know – the sounds in their own language – and teaches them how those sounds are written using letters.
As children become confident decoders, the focus moves towards reading fluently, understanding texts and enjoying reading.
What are the key principles of our Reading curriculum?
Our Reading curriculum is structured, supportive and ambitious for all children.
We believe that:
Children read stories, information texts and poetry as part of their reading journey.
How does our Reading curriculum help children to know more and remember more over time?
Children revisit sounds, words and reading skills often so learning sticks.
The same sounds and spellings are used in:
As children practise reading words many times, those words become familiar and automatic. This helps children read fluently and focus on understanding and enjoyment.
Teachers carefully check children’s reading and provide support straight away when needed.
What is taught and when in Reading?
Reading is taught daily from Preschool through to Year 6.
Preschool
Children develop early reading skills through:
These skills are taught through play using Twinkl Phonics.
Foundation Stage (Reception) to Year 2
Children continue to learn phonics using Sounds-Write, including:
Children read decodable books from Sounds-Write and Dandelion Readers that match exactly what they are learning.
Beyond Year 2
Children develop:
Children continue to read fiction, non-fiction and poetry.
How is Reading taught in Preschool and the Foundation Stage?
In Preschool, children begin reading through listening, speaking and play. They enjoy stories, songs and rhymes and learn to listen carefully to sounds using Twinkl Phonics.
In the Foundation Stage (Reception), children start daily Sounds-Write phonics lessons. These lessons are short, active and engaging, helping children build strong early reading and spelling skills.
How much Reading teaching happens each week?
Reading is taught every day across the school.
Children who need extra practice or support receive additional help to ensure everyone can make good progress.
In addition, children from Preschool to Year 6 will hear stories read aloud to them every day. This ranges from picture books and traditional tales in Preschool and Foundation Stage, to challenging class novels in Year 6.
In Summary
Our approach to teaching reading helps children to:
By combining strong early listening skills, systematic phonics and fluency practice, we help children become confident, successful readers.
