Reading and Phonics
BackIntent
At Daven Primary School, we value reading greatly. We aim to inspire a love of reading through the introduction of high-quality, exciting texts spanning a range of genres, including stories, poetry and non-fiction texts. We want children to be confident readers, who enjoy reading a wide range of texts and learn new vocabulary from a range of authors.
We recognise the vital role reading can have on language development. Pupils are taught strategies to independently deduce the meaning of new words they encounter – such as through considering context cues. We also explore the morphology of words which allows for direct links to be made with spelling and grammar. To promote curiosity in reading, children also learn about the etymology of words and their relationships with other languages.
Implementation
At Daven Primary School, we understand the importance of children getting off to a successful start with reading. We follow a synthetic phonics programme to support this rapid development of reading skills – Read Write Inc. All teaching staff are fully trained in this programme. Children participate in daily phonics sessions and the phonics books sent home to read are matched to their point of reading development. These books contain only sounds they have previously learned, increasing their likelihood of success, which increases their motivation to read. Regular assessments take place to ensure children are closely tracked in terms of their phonics skills, enabling children who are falling behind.
In KS2, whole class guided reading sessions are used as a means for teachers to develop children’s reading fluency, comprehension and book talk. A range of texts are studied as children move through the school. We use Accelerated Reader programme to ensure children read books that are appropriate for their point of reading development. We have a dedicated library, and non-fiction zones throughout the school, with books from a range of authors, writing styles and genres to encourage a broad diet of literature for every child. The Accelerated Reader programme allows us to closely track the progress of children’s reading, enabling us to identify children who may need additional teacher support or guidance and to celebrate success.
Impact
At Daven Primary School, we aim for every child to be ready for their next phase of education. Those that are not, are supported appropriately to ensure they can catch up with their peers.
Accelerated Reader parent guide: https://www.renaissance.com/family-resources-accelerated-reader/
Phonics parent guide: https://www.ruthmiskin.com/parentsandcarers/
