We will support all children to learn to read through clear leadership; consistent teaching and learning approaches; regular monitoring and assessment along with a joint commitment between school and home. Teachers draw upon careful observations and continuous assessment to ensure children are challenged and to identify children who may need additional support. Timely intervention is planned for those children working below expected levels as soon as their needs are identified through additional Read Write Inc. (RWI) sessions in Key Stage One or participating in the Fresh Start programme in Upper Key Stage 2. All children read aloud during phonics or whole class reading. In addition, some pupils may read at least once more per week with a teacher, teaching assistant or reading volunteer; the focus being on the lowest 20%. Furthermore, Pupil Premium children and those pupils not reading regularly at home, have additional opportunities to read aloud.

At Acre Heads, the systematic teaching of phonics has high priority in the Early Years Foundation Stage and Key Stage One. We use a synthetic phonics teaching programme called Read Write Inc. (RWI) Phonics as a basis to teach our pupils to read and write. Pupils usually complete the programme by Year 2; some may even finish towards the end of Year 1. Pupils in Lower Key Stage Two who need extra support with decoding may also follow the programme. Pupils in Upper Key Stage Two follow the Fresh Start programme if they are still struggling to decode and comprehend a text.

Whole class guided reading takes place daily once the children have progressed through RWI. These lessons use a quality, engaging class text that is chosen by the class teacher and if appropriate, linked to the class topic. The guided reading sessions will involve different types of reading activities, class/group discussions, investigating vocabulary and looking at the author’s intentions. This will lead to the children answering a range of appropriate/challenging questions that ensure the teaching of the content domains.

By having a daily guided reading session, children are given time to master skills and the opportunity to apply it independently in their work. Furthermore, children are given time to focus on fluency and expression as a skill when they are reading.

In addition, vocabulary sessions are taught throughout the week. These sessions allow children to be exposed to new vocabulary, which they can then apply to all aspects of their learning. During these sessions, children are encouraged to use a range of skills to learn new and challenging vocabulary: speaking, listening, writing, drawing and drama. We have high expectations for our pupils, so we choose texts which incorporate ambitious vocabulary.

Reading is not only taught throughout reading sessions but is also incorporated into other curriculum areas, such as science, history, geography, art and RE.