Reading
“To ignite imagination and foster a lifelong passion for reading through exposure to a wide range of quality children’s literature. As reading is pivotal to accessing all subjects, our vision is for our pupils to leave primary school with a deepened ability to read confidently at a high standard, with fluency and understanding.”
READING INTENT
READING VISION
The Langney Primary Academy Reading curriculum links to the school’s overarching vision for each of its subjects by ensuring:
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Curriculum innovation and teaching pedagogy in Reading is at the forefront of education.
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Langney Primary Academy is a Centre of Excellence in Reading with the highest standard of teaching.
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Talent discovery of pupils showing aptitude in Reading is harnessed and opportunities provided to enrich and challenge.
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There is a balance between high standards (excellence) and enjoyment for the subject.
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Life chances and career aspirations are raised.
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Health and Wellbeing is endorsed.
INNOVATION IN READING
INNOVATION IN READING
Reading provision at Langney Primary Academy is a result of the latest research and continuous reflection. Over time, an innovative approach to whole-class teaching of Reading Comprehension has been developed and as a result of carefully staged updates, it is consistently embedded.
BEING A CENTRE OF READING EXCELLENCE
Bespoke to Langney Primary Academy, lessons place emphasis on whole-class collaborative reading strategies, fluency, vocabulary, comprehension as well as skimming and scanning techniques.
Technology assisted strategies support learning in Reading. ‘Boom Reader’ is the whole-school reading programme that ensures a progressive home / school online reading world. Investment in technology assisted interventions, such as Lexia, are also used. Reading Pro is used as a reference tool for teachers in their assessments.
In addition, the Reading curriculum places emphasis on attaining high standards and achieving good progress from individual pupils’ starting points. The Primary National Curriculum is used to ensure a clear progression of reading skills and end of year expectations; placing emphasis on developing competence in the word reading and comprehension dimensions of Reading. Sound teacher subject knowledge promotes depth of learning through effective and regular continuing professional development.
A systematic approach to the teaching of phonics through the high quality ‘Bug Club’ phonics programme is emphasised in the early teaching of reading to develop decoding and speedy word recognition.
TALENT DISCOVERY OF PUPILS IN READING
TALENT DISCOVERY OF PUPILS IN READING
Enrichment activities target talented pupils e.g. authors workshops with published authors. Talented readers are identified and given the opportunity to showcase their skills and flair for reading aloud in front of an audience during special assemblies and events.
A BALANCE BETWEEN EXCELLENCE (STANDARDS) AND ENJOYMENT IN READING
A BALANCE BETWEEN EXCELLENCE AND ENJOYMENT IN READING
There is strong evidence linking Reading for Pleasure and educational outcomes. At Langney Primary Academy, we know that academic attainment is of vital importance, but are equally aware that the benefits of reading for pleasure go beyond this and stretch throughout a person’s life. To support reading for pleasure, classes have a weekly lesson which focuses on ‘book talk’ and deepening their love of reading. The Reading curriculum at Langney Primary Academy therefore places emphasis on both fostering an enjoyment for reading as well as achieving high standards as measured by end of key stage national assessments.
To promote a lifelong love of reading and literacy learning, careful selection of high quality children’s literature is at the heart of the school’s curriculum design. With support from our school librarian, rich and informative texts are reviewed annually and form the basis for cross-curricular learning across subjects in each year group (Nursery to Year 6). High quality texts with depth and interest in story, character, illustration, vocabulary, structure and subject matter are used. Books that children will want to re-read and savour are chosen and can take many forms - poetry, picture books, information books, chapter books, modern stories or famous classics.
RAISING ASPIRATIONS & LIFE CHANCES IN READING
RAISING ASPIRATIONS & LIFE CHANCES IN READING
The quality of a child’s early reading experiences is vital for their future success. The school is fully aware of its role in ensuring high-quality early education in Reading. Right from Nursery age, emphasis is placed on enriching our pupils’ language and communication environment. This continues throughout Key Stages 1 and 2 where emphasis is placed on the development of vocabulary and the adventurous and exciting choices that the pupils are challenged to use.
Langney Primary Academy places importance in having a range of quality children’s literature independently accessible to children at all ages and levels. Ultimately, with the fact that good reading skills are central to accessing all curriculum areas, Langney believes that high quality teaching of reading is core to enabling pupils to confidently tackle their learning in every field and is thus a key contributor to raising aspirations and lifelong career potential.
LINKS TO READING
HEALTH & WELLBEING LINKS TO READING
We want pupils to read fluently and confidently in order for them to develop emotionally, intellectually, culturally, socially and spiritually. Reading enables our children to build their knowledge and develop critical thinking skills. All of these skills are essential in helping our pupils to participate fully in society. Engaging with a variety of texts can help a child to self soothe or escape by identifying with characters and situations or by connecting with a particular emotion conveyed. This can be crucial for good mental health. The ability to disseminate factual information for oneself is also important as one passes through life’s journey of growth, particularly through adolescence.
READING IMPLEMENTATION - How Reading is Planned, Taught & Assessed
To view our full Reading Implementation document, please click this link.
READING END OF YEAR EXPECTATIONS
To view our full Reading End of Year Expectations document, please click this link