The Importance of Reading

Reading allows children within our school to be immersed in a whole new world through the lives of fictional characters and knowledge presented in non-fiction texts.  By teaching our children to read, we develop their language and listening skills.  Importantly, reading ignites their curiosity, imagination and creativity.  By enjoying a range of texts, we discover new and exciting things.  Whilst we live in an information age, reading is the main way to access it.  A person who can read can learn about any area of life that interests them!

Our Reading Vision

At Heron Park, we aim for all our children to be fluent and confident readers.  Teaching and learning across the school inspires our children to enjoy reading for pleasure.  We deliver daily reading sessions from the moment our children join our school.  These include the shared reading of class novels, Read Write Inc lessons, Daily Supported Reader, Accelerated Reader and Destination Reader.   Each one of these schemes are progressive.  All our lessons underpinned by our commitment to inspire our children to become life-long independent readers who develop a love of reading and who are curious to learn more from the wonderful texts around them.   

Our Approach

Read, Write, Inc

Our pupils learn to read and write effectively and quickly using the Read Write Inc. Phonics programme.

In Reception, RWI is fully implemented but the class will not be split into groups until the initial sounds have been taught. Once the sounds have been taught assessments will take place to determine groupings. The sessions will occur daily for 40 minutes. Within this time a 10 minute speed sounds session will occur with follow up handwriting, assisted blending, independent blending and word time reading.

RWI groups will be set across Year 1 and 2 following assessments carried out by the Reading leader. Children in Year 3 that need further sound support will also be part of a RWI lesson. The sessions will occur daily for 1 hour. These sessions will include a 10 minute Speed Sounds session followed by a reading and writing session. Children will also be introduced to basic grammar and spelling rules.

Fresh Start

Children in Years 5 and 6 who need further reading support will take part in a Fresh Start lesson. The lesson will occur daily for 1 hour during literacy time. Children in Fresh Start will experience a RWI style lesson taught at a faster pace with age appropriate texts and outcomes.

Daily Supported Reading

The Daily Supported Reading Programme is a classroom programme that helps to move all children on in their reading. It helps children make accelerated progress by working with trained adults in small groups matched to their independent reading levels.

At Heron Park Primary Academy we run the Daily Supported Reading programme (DSR) five times each week. Regular assessments ensure that there is fluid movement between the groups so that children are fully supported and stretched to achieve their full potential.  All children continue to take books to read at home from our structured reading scheme.

Destination Reader

Destination Reader is an approach to teaching reading in KS2. The approach involves daily sessions incorporating whole class modelling prior to the children applying these skills through partner work and independent reading. Children deepen their understanding of the texts they read through the systematic use of a series of strategies and language stems. The approach encompasses the key principles of effective reading provision and fully meets the requirements of the National Curriculum by creating deep understanding of texts, developing oracy around reading and increasing children’s breadth of reading. Destination Reader also helps to build a culture of reading for pleasure and purpose.

Accelerated Reader (AR)

AR is a differentiated reading practise used to create strong, independent readers. Based on individual reading levels gathered from STAR assessments, AR helps teachers to guide children to books that are difficult enough to keep them challenged, but not so difficult as to cause frustration. In addition, AR helps teachers monitor vocabulary growth, literacy skills development, and other reading skills.

Our SEND pupils are fully involved in RWI and Fresh Start lessons as all pupils work in ability groups and teaching is geared to the speed of progress of each group. 1:1 or small group tuition will be identified by the Reading leader.

A love of Reading is promoted across the school with us seeking all opportunities to take part in whole school events such as World Book Day as well as regular opportunities to read for pleasure across the school week.  

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