Reading and Phonics
At our school, we believe that reading is the key to unlocking every child’s potential. We are committed to ensuring that every child becomes a confident, fluent reader who finds joy in books and develops a lifelong love of reading. From the moment children join us, we place a strong emphasis on the teaching of phonics and early reading, using the highly effective Read Write Inc. (RWI) programme.
This structured and systematic approach gives children the tools they need to decode words and develop early fluency. For children who need additional support, we provide Catch Up Phonics interventions, enabling all learners to keep up rather than catch up.
As children grow in confidence and fluency, we continue to nurture their reading journey using the Herts for Learning Reading Fluency Project. This research-based approach supports older readers in developing their comprehension, expression, and stamina, helping them become mature, thoughtful readers who can tackle a wide range of texts. Through modelled reading, repeated reading, and guided practice, children become increasingly independent and confident.
Reading at home is a vital part of a child’s development. We encourage all children to read daily at home, whether independently, with an adult, or by sharing a story together. This regular practice not only reinforces skills taught in school but also strengthens the bond between children and their families through shared reading experiences. We ask parents and carers to support their children by hearing them read, asking questions about the text, and celebrating progress. We use BoomReader to log reading at home- this is the way we communicate between home and school and we ask that you regularly feedback how your child is progressing.
To enhance our reading provision further, we use Fonetti, a reading platform that listens to children as they read aloud and gives them real-time feedback. This engaging and interactive tool boosts confidence, improves fluency, and supports children in becoming more independent readers. It’s a valuable part of our reading offer and is used both in school and at home.
Our reading curriculum is enriched with high-quality texts, author studies, reading for pleasure sessions, and library visits. Children are exposed to a wide range of genres, cultures, and voices, ensuring that every child finds something that resonates with them. From phonics to fluency, we work in partnership with families to ensure that every child has the opportunity to become a successful and enthusiastic reader.
