Reading

Reading Overview

Intent

At Fresh Steps, we view reading as a vital life skill that underpins learning across all subjects. Our primary goal is to ensure that every pupil develops fluent reading skills. We aim for all students to:

  • Read easily and with good understanding.
  • Cultivate a habit of reading widely and often for both pleasure and information.
  • Acquire a broad vocabulary, a solid grasp of grammar, and competence in speaking, listening, and formal presentations.
  • Enjoy a diverse range of genres and authors.

We strive to foster a love of reading by exposing pupils to high-quality texts and offering opportunities to explore various reading materials.

Implementation

Junior Learning - Letter and Sounds

We use the Letter and Sounds reading and phonics scheme, a DfE-approved systematic, synthetic phonics program. This scheme is divided into six phases, each building upon the previous one:

  1. Phonemic Awareness (Phase 1): Developing an understanding of sounds.
  2. Letter Sounds (Phase 2): Introducing letter sounds.
  3. Phonics (Phase 3): Expanding phonics knowledge.
  4. Blends (Phase 4): Combining sounds.
  5. Vowel Sounds (Phase 5): Mastering complex vowel sounds.
  6. Spelling (Phase 6): Applying phonics skills to spelling.

Each phase is color-coded for ease of use, and resources are available on the Letter and Sounds website for parents.

Reading for Pleasure

We place a significant emphasis on reading for pleasure:

  • Designated Reading Time: All classes have dedicated time for reading.
  • Library Use: Pupils are encouraged to make the most of our well-stocked library.
  • Independent and Group Reading: Opportunities for both independent and group reading are provided.

Books Going Home

  • Decodable Reading Books: Pupils take home matched decodable books every Tuesday to practice reading skills learned at school.
  • Fluent Readers: Encouraged to bring and share their favorite books at school.

Special Events

  • Book Day: An occasion for pupils to engage in reading-related activities, dress up as favorite book characters, and share their favorite books.
  • Inspirational Speakers: Visits from role models like Rudolph Walker inspire and motivate pupils, helping them to overcome obstacles and envision a positive future.

Impact

Our reading provision ensures that all children develop basic reading skills and build confidence in their reading abilities. Through systematic phonics teaching, we aim for pupils to become fluent and confident readers by the end of Primary. As they transition to secondary school, we aspire for them to be:

  • Fluent and confident readers, capable of enjoying a wide range of texts.
  • Able to use their reading skills to support learning across all subjects.

We believe that reading is foundational to all learning, and the impact of our reading curriculum extends beyond statutory assessments, influencing students' overall educational experience and success.