Reading

Children are first taught how to read though phonics in which phonemes (the sounds) are associated with particular graphemes (the letters) are pronounced in isolation and then blended together. This is taught daily from EYFS to KS1 using our phonics scheme Story Time phonics.

The children in KS1 also have daily guided reading sessions for around 20 minutes. They are grouped by ability and will read a text with the teacher or teaching assistant and then complete different activities to practice their reading skills and comprehension.

In KS2, the children in Year 3 and 4 are taught through a daily guided reading session for around 30 minutes which provides children with a carousel of activities. These activities include reading with a teacher or teaching assistant and written comprehensions.

In year 5 and 6 children move to Whole Class Guided Reading. Two days a week a dedicated to the class novel with enables children to study a text in its entirety. The other 3 days enable the children to encounter a wide range of genres- fiction, non-fiction, poetry and song lyrics.

Daily and precise systematic phonics is taught through whole class, interactive, engaging and enjoyable sessions in EYFS and KS1, which allow a positive learning culture for all children to flourish. Using Storytime Phonics, lessons in Reception, Year 1 and at the beginning of Year 2 are closely linked to high quality children’s storybook texts which inspires and supports an early love of reading and provides a meaningful context of the purpose of phonics as a route to reading.

We recognise that phonics provides the building blocks for crucial word reading ability and is therefore prioritised and well resourced. We intend to ensure that all children are fluent decoders by the end of Key Stage 1 and make sure that no child is left behind in their phonics learning. Learning and progress is continually monitored and teaching is focused to accelerate learning or provide extra support where identified.

We use First Class Phonics as a program of support and intervention to supplement whole class lessons for those who need it.

We support parents and carers to understand the importance of phonics and aide them in supporting children’s learning when practising their phonics at home.

It is vital that children read at home regularly in order to practice their reading and also develop a love of reading. We aim that that children should be reading daily for 10/15 minutes. Children will be given a reading book to take home as well as a ‘read to me book’ and library book in EFYS and KS1 and a home reading book and library book in KS2. Please sign your child’s reading record every time you read with them.

Please see information below for top tips on how to support your child at home with their reading and how to help your child develop a love of reading.

Useful Websites

• BBC Nursery songs – A collection of nursery songs from the Early Learning series Listen and Play and Playtime, both of which are currently available on iPlayer and as podcasts
• Book Trust – Suggested books for children, advice on how to read with your child, book lists, fun games, competitions to win free books, Children’s Book Club etc.
• Love Reading – Expert recommendations and opening extracts of books.
• Oxford Owl – Phonics advice and access to free E-Books. Free to register.
• Pearson – Publisher’s website designed to give parents help and advice for reading with children.
• Phonics – A useful website featuring free resources for KS1 (and the option of subscribing)

Amazon Wish Lists

We would be really grateful if you could purchase and donate one of the books from our Amazon Wish List. It’s really simple to do! Click on the link below to take you to each year group’s Wish List. If you find something you would like to purchase, just add it to your basket and follow the same process as if you were ordering something for yourself. The items will be delivered directly to our school and the children will be excited for their surprise delivery. Thank you in advance for your generosity.

• Nursery Wish List – https://amzn.eu/5IafHzu
• Reception Wish List – https://amzn.eu/iXwIoHj
• Year 1 Wish List – https://amzn.eu/ardqoEt
• Year 2 Wish List – https://amzn.eu/8hELrLO
• Year 3 Wish List – https://amzn.eu/84mVeJk
• Year 4 Wish List – https://amzn.eu/1Sd09qw
• Year 5 Wish List – https://amzn.eu/aSf7VDT
• Year 6 Wish List – https://amzn.eu/9lOHmbJ
• Boost Group – https://amzn.eu/e9ZNScT

KS2 Reading Ambassadors

Meet our KS2 reading ambassadors! These children were chosen for their enthusiasm to promote a love of reading around school. The Reading Ambassadors are currently taking part in Tameside Library Reading Champions project and are half-way to achieving their Reading Campion award!

Library Make-Over

The library recently underwent a make-over! We are really pleased with how our new library looks and the reading ambassadors have been fully trained on how to use the library.