Reading is at the heart of everything we do. We teach pupils to read from the moment they start school. We pride ourselves in celebrating a love of reading throughout school from the moment the pupils arrive until the moment they leave. We encourage pupils to develop a love of reading so that they become life-long readers. It is our aim to ensure that pupils become fluent readers as early as possible. We recognise how crucial this is for pupils to be able to access all areas of the curriculum. Our Reading Enhanced Curriculum puts reading at the heart of the curriculum.

Each class has a library and pupils are able to access the library whenever they want. There are inviting reading areas situated throughout the academy where children may sit and read for pleasure in their own time. We have also invested in re-stocking the home-reading books in order to ensure that all pupils have an appropriate text to help develop their reading fluency. In addition to this, we have a range of home reading books to ensure pupils are taking home a phonetically decodable book that is matched to their reading ability, with 100% fidelity to our phonics programme, ELS. Furthermore, books are strategically placed in classrooms and in corridors that allow children to further their knowledge on subjects that may interest them. Our intent is that no child should leave our school without being able to read.

We listen to the pupils read regularly and they are then encouraged to read aloud to an adult at home at least three times a week. This is to further develop word recognition; improve their fluency and confidence; and share their love of reading with siblings and parents. We know that not all pupils will have the opportunity to read at home. Therefore, we ensure these pupils are listened to as often as possible within school.

We want the pupils to develop a love of reading. This is encouraged through our library and class texts. We ensure all of our pupils read widely and often, with fluency and comprehension appropriate to their age. Furthermore, we arrange engaging experiences such as author visits, library visits and book fayres to expose the pupils to the joy that reading can bring. This aims to involve and inspire the community with developing a love of reading.

A strategic approach to story time is being embedded. All pupils in the academy enjoy listening to an age appropriate story every day. Each classroom is transformed in to an inviting environment where the pupils are able to lose themselves in the imaginary world inspired by the story telling experience. Story tellers are also invited in to school on a weekly basis to provide either a lunchtime or afterschool session

Every day, at the end of the day, we have lights down story time. This is where pupils are read to by their teacher. Books are chosen by pupils, and are usually one of their class’s very own top 30 reads. Pupils love being read to, just for the joy of listening to a story!