Reading

At St Robert Southwell, we believe that the ability to read is fundamental to pupils’ development as independent learners.  Reading is central to our ability to understand, interpret and communicate with each other and the world around us.  Success in reading has a direct effect upon progress in all areas of the curriculum.

Intent – Vision and Aims

We want to enable children to become enthusiastic, independent and reflective readers across a wide range and types of literature, including different text types, genres, books, posters, magazines, signs and newspapers.

Our aims and intent for all children at St Robert Southwell is to be able to:

  • Read with enjoyment across a range of genres
  • Become fluent, confident and expressive readers
  • Read for pleasure as well as for information
  • Read and respond to a wide range of different types of literature
  • Understand the layout and how to use different genres and text types;
  • Understand and apply their knowledge of phonics and spelling patterns and use this to decode words with accuracy
  • Build their bank of sight words to enable fluent reading
  • Have an interest in words and their meanings, developing a rich and varied vocabulary;
  • Understand and respond to literature drawn from a range of cultures and literary heritage.

We aim to develop, through our teaching of reading, the following attitudes:

  • Curiosity and interest
  • Pleasure and thoughtfulness
  • Critical appraisal
  • Independence
  • Confidence
  • Resilience
  • Perseverance
  • Respect for other views and cultures

Implementation

Our whole curriculum is shaped by our school vision which aims to enable all children, regardless of background, ability or additional need, to flourish and to become the very best they can be.

We are guided by the National Curriculum, supported by a clear skills and knowledge progression across all subjects. This ensures that skills and knowledge are built on year by year and sequenced appropriately to maximise learning for all children.

In the Foundation Stage, children are introduced to early phonics in combination with the reading of a wide range of picture and story books to engage their imagination and wonder.

In Key Stage 1, particularly in Year 1, there is focus on the progression of phonics skills with children being taught in groups to match their ability. With daily phonic sessions, the children have the opportunity to revisit previous learning, practise and apply new skills in structured but engaging ways. By the time the children are reaching the end of Year 2, they have listened to and studied a range of quality stories from traditional and modern authors.

A mixture of reading approaches are used in St  Robert Southwell to give the children the opportunity to develop the skills to become independent readers. Guided reading is used in small groups. Whole class teaching of the different skills are also taught through the study of carefully selected quality class texts.

Home Learning

Reading at home is a key element in supporting children with their reading progress.

Children are able to choose books that come from a levelled scheme to ensure progression. In Key Stage 2, the children are encouraged to become more independent and take responsibility for answering questions in their journals that focus on developing vocabulary and comprehension.

Impact

By the time the children leave St Robert Southwell;

  • They will have become enthusiastic and motivated readers who are confident in reading a variety of genres and text types
  • They will have the skills to decode words in order to be able to read fluently with a secure understanding of what they have read
  • They will have been inspired by literature and will read for enjoyment and pleasure