Reading is an essential skill for all children to learn. It provides the basis for children to achieve their potential in all areas of their education, both present and future, as well as for future employment and adult life. We want children to love reading, enriching their lives in many ways, from a growing imagination, eagerness for information and for moments of reflection and tranquillity.
The teaching and pleasure for reading begins from the moment your child enters Nursery and continues throughout their time at Clunbury CE Primary School. It is supported by all the staffs own enjoyment of reading that develops the children’s awareness of the importance of reading. Books and opportunities to read are made throughout the day and exposure to reading occurs in many areas, including Collective Worship, Forest School, outside and classroom based. Every classroom has a reading area, a comfortable place for children to curl up with a good book. From Nursery, children take home books for pleasure (library) and from Reception children take a reading book matched to their phonics level in addition to a book for pleasure (library).
Little Wandle
At Clunbury CE Primary School we use Little Wandle. This programme is a systematic synthetic programme (SSP), which allows children to master the phonetic code, develop their reading fluency and spelling skills. We have 3 weekly reading group sessions for children on the Little Wandle programme where they decode, develop prosody and comprehension through phonetically matched phonics books. We use the Little Wandle Assessment tracker to ensure these books are matched to the children’s phonics level. When children need extra support, we use Little Wandle’s Keep Up sessions. Year 2 progress onto the Little Wandle spelling programme and fluency books.
Phonics continues to be used in KS2 to support new word reading, consolidating and developing reading skills. We also use Little Wandle’s Rapid Catch Up programme for additional reading support from Year 2 to ensure all children master the phonetic code. Click here for the Little Wandle progression document.
Parents and home reading
Reception parents are invited to an Introduction to Phonics meeting at the start of term to learn about phonics and how they can support their child at home. All parents can find support with pronunciation of phonemes (sounds) and the Little Wandle programme by visiting: https://www.littlewandlelettersandsounds.org.uk/resources/for-parents/
Parents are encouraged to read with their children regularly at home and to develop their child’s love of reading through sending library books home to share with their family.
Story time
In every class, from Nursery to Year 6, children share a story with each other read by a member of staff every a day. This is an important time of day for children to develop listening skills, understanding, exposure to different genre of books and extend their vocabulary. It is a time to share opinions on the books read, learn about different authors, illustrators and poets as well as an opportunity for staff to talk to the children about their love of reading.