Implementation

Reading

We provide a thriving reading culture for all children in our school; sharing books that open windows into new worlds and hold up mirrors for our children to see themselves reflected in. Being exposed to a broad range of texts allows children to be reflective and demonstrate being respectful of others. Through effective teaching and intervention, children are equipped with the essential skills to ensure that they become competent readers. Beginning their reading journey with phonics in Early Years and Key Stage 1 provides children with a direct route to becoming novice readers. They subsequently move to whole class reading lessons that focus on the development of vocabulary, comprehension skills and the immersion in a wide range of high-quality texts. These lessons also instil excitement and pleasure in reading. This enjoyment in reading is further demonstrated by daily reading aloud (class texts) and various other strategies such as regular opportunities for rich book talk, our inviting library and children regularly witnessing their teachers as readers.

Writing

We provide a thriving writing culture for all children in our school. Through effective teaching and intervention, children are equipped with the essential skills to ensure that they become confident and reflective writers. All staff appreciate the inextricable link between children’s reading and effective writing and this is at the core of teaching. Teachers expose children to high quality texts across the curriculum that provide effective models for their own writing. They are able to develop their understanding of text type and build up their writer toolkit.  Children are given appropriate time to write and be reflective, and are taught strategies to edit and improve their work. Spelling is taught weekly and vocabulary development is embedded across the curriculum. Cross Curricular Writing is embedded across the school and is an opportunity for children to be strong and courageous their writing skills and knowledge about genres with an exciting and engaging stimulus.