What does reading look like at East Meon Primary School?

Through reading, all children have the chance to develop culturally, emotionally, intellectually, socially and spiritually through the books and texts we carefully select. We expose children to a range of new vocabulary, to build on what they already know, which provides them with the skills to participate as a member of society. We provide a unique level of phonics for every child, giving them the chances to progress quickly throughout the year. When a child leaves, they are fluent readers who comprehend a wide range of genres and have a deeply embedded love of reading. Through reading, all children have the chance to develop culturally, emotionally, intellectually, socially and spiritually through the books and texts we carefully select. We expose children to a range of new vocabulary, to build on what they already know, which provides them with the skills to participate as a member of society. We provide a unique level of phonics for every child, giving them the chances to progress quickly throughout the year. When a child leaves, they are fluent readers who comprehend a wide range of genres and have a deeply embedded love of reading.

Teaching Phonics at East Meon CE Primary School

Phonics is taught daily in Year R and Key Stage 1 following the Ruth Miskin, Read, Write, Ink program. Children who are assessed as still needing further phonics support once they reach KS2 will also be placed into a group where phonics is being taught at their level. If a child is significantly behind with their phonics but it is deemed inappropriate to have them work with a younger group of pupils, they may receive phonics teaching through intervention called Fresh Start Phonics.

Pupils in Year R will receive phonics 'homework'. They will bring the sounds that they are working on each week home and try to find objects and things around them that need that sound. For example, if they bring home the sound 'Sh' then they might tell an adult "We are going to the Shops,"  or "I wash my hair with shampoo."

Reading at East Meon CE Primary School

At East Meon we use a combined approach to reading. In Year R and Year 1 pupils will begin to learn to read with books which match their level in phonics.

Once they go beyond these books and they are able to read short passages independently, pupils will move onto the Accelerated Reader system. They will take an online diagnostic test which then informs the class teacher of the pupils 'reading range'. This is the range of books which pupils will be able to (according to the diagnostic) read AND comprehend. Once the pupil has read a book from the Accelerated Reader range, they will then be able to quiz on this particular text. The quiz will give the child instant feedback and will help them understand whether they need to read more carefully or whether they are ready to try something more challenging.

Additionally, we include reading sessions across the curriculum. For example, if the pupils are learning about the Romans, they will use a key, non-fiction text for research and to help them understand how to communicate historically in their writing. We now include these key texts in our curriculum maps so that parents can see which books pupils will be studying through the year. 

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