Intent

We aim for all children to be able to read with accuracy and fluency as early as possible. Through listening to stories and having access to a wide variety of texts to enjoy, we aim to develop within each child an enduring love of literature that inspires reading for indulgent pleasure, but also to pique their curiosity and grow their awareness of this wondrous world of God's creation.

"To learn to read is to light a fire; every syllable that is spelled out is a spark."

Victor Hugo

"A book, too, can be a star, a living fire to lighten the darkness, leading out into the expanding Universe."

Madeleine L'Engle

"We read to know that we're not alone." 

CS Lewis

Read Write Inc. Phonics

Our children learn to read through Read Write Inc Phonics. This approach teaches children the sounds in English, the letters that represent them, and how to form the letters when writing. Read Write Inc. Phonics includes reading books written using only the letters they have learnt at each level (and a small number of separately taught tricky words). The children will quickly feel confident and successful.

Click on the RWI logo to be taken to the RWI Phonics Parent Guide. The guide contains helpful information and videos on how the programme is structured and how you can support your child at home. At the bottom of the guide there are links to some excellent resources which can be purchased for you to use at home to support your child while learning to read.

Accelerated Reader

When children have completed RWI Phonics, they are able to read with accuracy and growing fluency. At this stage they stop bringing home the RWI Phonics Book Bag books, and begin selecting their reading books from their class library and the school library.

To support them in selecting books which match their level of ability, children complete a computer-adaptive assessment called Star Reading, which produces a Zone of Proximal Development (ZPD). The ZPD range indicates the ideal level of books a child should read within. When children choose books within their range, the text will provide some challenge without being too difficult to read. Children complete Star Reading tests every 6 to 8 school weeks to ensure their ZPD range reflects their current level of reading ability.

Upon finishing reading a book, children complete a short Accelerated Reader quiz on the book they've just read. The quizzes challenge their comprehension of what they've read, which supports their growth as readers.

Click on the logo to download the Parent Guide to Accelerated Reader