Reading
Reading at Sir Francis Hill
Intent
At Sir Francis Hill, we acknowledge reading as a key driver for our curriculum. Therefore, our reading and phonics leads work closely together to ensure that every child reaches their potential by the time they move onto the next step in their education. We strongly believe that empowering a child with the ability to read fluently and widely will enable them to access all areas of the curriculum with more confidence.
Our intention is that:
- All children are able to read a range of texts fluently, both non-fiction and fiction.
- Develop the habit of reading widely and often, for pleasure and information.
- Acquire a wide vocabulary and an understanding of grammar.
- Develop their comprehension skills, both in listening and reading.
Implementation
Phonics instruction
Throughout the Foundation Stage and Key Stage 1, phonics is the cornerstone of early reading instruction. Staff implement a systematic approach to teaching phonics, enabling children to develop a secure understanding of the relationship between sounds (phonemes) and their corresponding written representations (graphemes). This is delivered through the structured Read Write Inc. synthetic phonics programme.
All children in Reception and Key Stage 1 participate in daily phonics lessons, taught in small, ability-matched groups to ensure instruction is tailored to their specific needs. Teachers continuously assess and observe progress, using this information to challenge learners appropriately and provide targeted support for those requiring additional intervention.
We prioritise the systematic and high-quality teaching of phonics while simultaneously fostering children's comprehension skills through exposure to a diverse range of fiction and non-fiction texts. As part of their daily Read Write Inc. lessons, all children read aloud to develop fluency and confidence. Additionally, they engage in regular reading opportunities with adults in the classroom through one-on-one reading sessions, whole-class reading activities, and peer-supported reading. To further enrich their literacy development, teachers incorporate daily story time, introducing children to new and varied vocabulary while cultivating a love for reading.
Once children have reached the expected standard for decoding words and have become fluent readers, they are encouraged to select age-appropriate books from our central school library. The library is thoughtfully organised by genre, as well as popular authors and book series, to inspire a love of reading and support independent book choices. This approach allows children to explore a wide range of texts that match their interests and reading level, further enhancing their comprehension skills and fostering a lifelong enjoyment of reading.
Whole-Class Reading
Whole-class reading is introduced at the end of Key Stage 1 and continues throughout Key Stage 2, with daily reading lessons designed to develop pupils’ reading skills. These lessons incorporate a diverse range of texts, including class novel studies, non-fiction, poetry, and song lyrics. The teaching approach encourages individual responses and interpretations, fostering deeper engagement with texts rather than focusing solely on comprehension exercises.
Reading at Home
Reading at home plays a crucial role in children's development, and parents are encouraged to read with their children daily. Pupils following the Read Write Inc. programme take home a carefully selected Book Bag Book that aligns with their current phonics level. These books are changed weekly, allowing children to re-read them multiple times to build fluency and develop early comprehension skills. As children progress and become fluent readers, they are given greater independence in selecting books from the school library to take home, further nurturing their love of reading.
Impact
At Sir Francis Hill, children benefit from high-quality phonics instruction and a vocabulary-rich learning environment, equipping them with the skills to become confident, fluent readers. They will develop the ability to apply their reading skills across the curriculum and in everyday life, recognising the power of text as a source of information and knowledge. Through exposure to a diverse range of literature, children will cultivate a lifelong love of reading for pleasure, fostering curiosity, imagination, and a deeper appreciation of the written word.