Reading Strategy

At Christ Church, we recognise the importance of reading as a key life skill.

Reading opens doors into all aspects of learning and a secure grounding in the skills of decoding, inference, deduction and fluency is vital for progress in all areas. Pupils are encouraged to read a wide range of texts (both fiction and non-fiction) and to become confident, fluent readers, who enjoy exploring the written word. Our intention is that, by the end of KS2, each child will be able to read fluently, for pleasure and have the skills that will support their learning across the curriculum and into the next phase of their education.

Intent

To teach children to read easily, fluently and with good understanding.
To develop the habit of reading widely and often, for both pleasure and information
To acquire a wide vocabulary (through reading) and an understanding of grammar and knowledge of linguistic conventions.
To provide children with a consistent phonics approach as a basis for their reading, writing and spelling.
Systematic phonics to be taught in EYFS and KS1 daily using Read write Inc Phonics. During these daily lessons, children will have the opportunity to revisit previous learning, practise and apply skills in structured yet engaging ways. Phonics will continue into KS2 on a needs basis. Fidelity to this programme will ensure consistency across the school.
All year groups engage in whole class teaching of reading to ensure children are exposed to quality and challenging texts. In KS2, once the children are fluent readers, teachers teach whole class guided reading based around exploring and practising the skills of reading. In independent reading time, adults target those children who need extra support with fluency. From Year 2, children will use Accelerated Reader as a basis to select books that provide appropriate levels of challenge.
Children will be encouraged to read at home and provided with reading diaries for recording.
Phonics assessments in EYFS and Year 1 will be completed six-weekly.
STAR assessments will be completed three times each academic year, the results of which will be used to ascertain any gaps in learning and to inform future planning.
Throughout the school, there will be a designated time for class teachers to read to the class to reinforce the value of reading. This will take place at 3.00 daily and last for 15 minutes.

Impact

Attainment in reading is measured using the statutory assessments at the end of KS1 and KS2. These results are measured against the attainment of children nationally. Attainment of phonics is measured by Phonics Screening Check.

Our aim is that through the teaching of systematic phonics, children will become fluent readers by the end of KS1.

Children will be confident, enthusiastic and motivated readers who enjoy a wide range of literature. Children will have the skills and confidence to decode, infer, reason and understand what they have read, which will have far-reaching benefits across the wider curriculum.