Reading
Early Reading and Phonics In EYFS
Phonics begins in Nursery and is based upon the Development Matters curriculum, where we focus upon our listening skills. For early phonics teaching, the school follows the Read Write Inc. (RWI) phonic scheme which is adapted to ensure we are meeting the needs of our children and is effective in teaching children to be successful early readers. Home reading materials ensure that the children are given reading books that reflect their phonic knowledge. The children begin with picture books before moving on to simple phonic books and sound blending books. The school places an importance on the development of early comprehension skills; in line with the Revised Framework to ensure that children are able to comprehend what they read and listen to. This sits alongside the development of children’s speaking, listening and language skills which are crucial for developing children’s comprehension and vocabulary, with the specific focus on closing the vocabulary gap for children starting school with less experience of a language rich environment. Adults also strive to promote a love of reading through daily story time and carefully chosen books within the environment and in classroom reading corners. Teachers closely monitor children’s progress in reading, through regular phonic assessments and reading sessions, in order to ensure that interventions are implemented to address gaps in learning promptly.
Reading and Phonics in Key Stage One
Children in Key Stage One are taught phonics explicitly everyday. This is in line with the National Curriculum. Letters and Sounds is taught using Read Write Inc resources. The children are taught in small groups by our team of experienced and well-trained teachers and teaching assistants. Children are regularly assessed to ensure that they progress well and are on track to reach national expectations by the end of Year One, when they will sit their Phonics Screening Check.
Reading skills are also taught explicitly in Key Stage One. The children have a 30 minute daily guided reading session based upon an age appropriate text. Children are taught how to develop their reading skills, explore new vocabulary and develop a love of reading. Our reading scheme is largely Oxford Reading Tree, but includes Project X adventure books and phonics based books to support our early readers.
Reading is embedded within our English lessons, where a quality reading spine is used to develop writing for different purposes and audiences.
Unsure of how to support your child at home with phonics? The video below demonstrates how we teach the sounds at Parkview:
Reading in KS2
Reading in KS2 is primarily taught through a dedicated 30 minute daily session in order to allow the children to develop skills to become deep readers. Each week, the series of five lessons focusses on a specific reading assessment skill. The first day is a class read session, modelled by the teacher. During the following four sessions, every child takes part in a vocabulary task, a retrieval task, an inference/deduction/prediction/making connections task and finally, a mini-mission! A daily class read is also carried out for pure enjoyment!
Children who do not pass the Phonic Screening in Year 1 are supported in Key Stage 2 through phonic, interventional support.
Reading across the Curriculum
Qulaity texts are used in all curriuclum areas. High quality, subject-specific vocabulary is planned for and taught progressively in all subject areas. Book corners in each classroom have links to wider curriculum areas and include fiction, non-fiction and poetry choices.
What if my child struggles with reading?
At Parkview, we realise that all children are on their own learning journey and will require different amounts of support at different times. Children can find reading tricky for a variety of reasons, including; having English as an additional language, dyslexia, speech and language difficulties and many more factors. It is essential that all pupils have the right to an age-related reading education, engaging in activities delivered by specially trained staff to support your child with their learning journey. There are two key interventions we use to support children with their reading:
Nessy
Nessy is a programme that we use to support children that have specific barriers to their reading journey and supports learners with a range of needs.
Fresh Start
Read Write Inc. Fresh Start supports struggling readers aged 9 and above to accelerate reading progress.