Implementation – Reading

At Wyndham we believe that children deserve a rich curriculum which encourages extensive reading of whole books and other kinds of texts. Every child is unique in their learning and to recognise this we work on a continuum for reading which is guided by but not limited to the three phases across school. The teaching of phonics is fundamental to the school and there is a clear structure and sequence for the teaching of phonics. Our first priority is to help the children to decode. Pupils always read books that are sound matched until they are fluent decoders.  Once the children are efficient decoders, we work on fluency and comprehension. Pupils that are in danger of falling behind are given extra support through interventions. All of our staff have up to date training in phonics and we have regular CPD sessions to support the teaching of reading.  Our staff regularly read stories to the children to engage and enthuse the children. The high quality literature that is shared with the children is chosen from a brilliant book list that we have for each year group. We believe that active encouragement of reading for pleasure is a core part of every child’s educational entitlement, whatever their background or attainment because we know that extensive reading and exposure to a wide range of texts make a huge contribution to students’ educational achievement.

Foundation Stage and Key Stage 1 

Through reading, pupils are introduced to new vocabulary that can then be used in their own writing and speech. We foster our love of reading through providing a rich environment which stimulates and encourages children’s reading. We believe in engaging all pupils and have a variety of resources in each class including puppets, story sacks, role play resources and books to develop different interests of the children. From the Foundation Stage and into Key Stage 1 pupils will enjoy a range of texts allowing them to build up knowledge of rhythm, rhyme and pattern in language.

Phonics

The teaching of phonics is an integral part of the curriculum in both the Foundation Stage and Key Stage 1 classrooms. Children first learn their letter sounds and names then apply these to word building.  We use Letters and Sounds progression for phonics. We add actions to the sounds to help the children to remember them. Through Letters and Sounds, the children are taught the 44 phonemes that make up all the sounds required for reading and spelling.  These phonemes include those made by just one letter and those that are made by two or more.  As the children grow in confidence and experience, they are introduced to alternative ways of representing the same sound. The teaching of phonics is of high priority to all teachers as it enables pupils to decode for reading and encode for spelling. We ensure that our teaching of phonics is rigorous, structured and enjoyable.  Children have discrete, daily phonics sessions where they are introduced to new phonemes, can practise and revise previous learning and have plenty of opportunities to apply the knowledge they have.

We use a range of multisensory strategies to enthuse and engage the children, including the use of interactive whiteboards, magnetic letters, speaking and listening, songs, rhymes and practical games and activities. Children work with pace and are encouraged to apply their knowledge across the curriculum with any reading or writing activities. The children also learn a variety of other key words by sight. 

Children read individually, in small groups and as a whole class. A variety of different genres are chosen at an appropriate level of ability for each group of children. As well as being able to read the text, children are encouraged to discuss the content of the book and their opinions about people, places and events are sought. 

Key Stage 2

Through independent reading, reading skills lessons, shared reading in literacy lessons and cross-curricular sessions, guided reading groups and reading for pleasure, reading in Key Stage 2 develops and extends the skills acquired in Key Stage 1. Children explore a wide variety of genre, both fiction and non-fiction which allows them to access, input ideas and understand what they are reading. They are given opportunities to speculate on the tone and purpose of texts they explore as well as consider both the texts’ themes and audience.

Below you will find the different objectives that each year group cover within Reading throughout the course of the school year.

Impact

At Wyndham we believe that through project-based learning and carefully chosen literature the children have the opportunity to leave Year 6 with a love of Literacy as well as the skills needed for the next stage of their education.