Subject Intent:
Our aim is to improve pupils' future prospects by ensuring that every child becomes a fluent, enthusiastic reader. We are committed to helping our pupils speak, read, and write fluently; equipping them with the skills they need to flourish in later life. We are determined to ensure that our pupils can speak read and write fluently so they can succeed in future life.
Together we love, learn and live…
At Hardwicke we aim…
·To ensure children’s phonic skills are secure as early as possible, as these are essential to developing as a competent, assertive reader.
·To provide early reading foundations that enable pupils to be enthusiastic readers with a passion and love for storytelling, literature and vocabulary.
·To ensure that all children learn to read and read to learn.
· For children to become enthusiastic and motivated readers
·To immerse children in a range of genres, in order to develop cultural capital and provoke thought (Windows and mirrors)
·To encourage a love of literature and enjoyment of reading
· Through thorough tracking, we ensure that no child is left behind; those few pupils who find learning to read a challenge are supported through rigorous interventions to cater for their needs.
Implementation Throughout our School:
A love of reading is cultivated through initiatives such as our Bookworm reading scheme, where reading milestones are celebrated with rewards, with the aim of embedding the importance of reading from the moment children join our school community. As well as inviting classroom reading corners, and a well-stocked library, teachers will regularly share book recommendations with children in their class. To nurture a passion for reading, daily story time features engaging picture books, and children have access to a cosy, inviting book corner filled with high-quality texts.
Enrichment activities such as author visits, and links with local libraries inspire children to explore new texts and broaden their literary interests. Regular opportunities for children to review and recommend books to their peers further foster a reading community within the school.
Children working towards the expected standard in reading, are supported through a range ofdifferent pathways, from SEND support to reduce barriers to reading, to phonics assessments, and phonics interventions from KS1 – KS2 (through ELS progress), and as a school we prioritise listening to children read regularly; ensuring children regularly get the opportunity to read to an adult. We regularly assess reading at Hardwicke, to ensure that we know how to further support our children to be the best that they can be.
Within our daily phonics and guided reading lessons, children at Hardwicke receive a consistent and progressive approach to learning, and our tailored lesson design ensures every child receives quality first teaching.
- Monday to Wednesday, each class will study a carefully selected class text, and will delve into characters, themes and plots. These sessions are rich in vocabulary and opportunities for high quality discussions.
- On a Thursday, we study an unseen text; this may link to a theme in the class text, or a topic across the curriculum. These unseen texts allow for regular monitoring of progress, and ensure that children at Hardwicke are experiencing a range of fiction, non-fiction and poetry texts from YR1 to YR6.
- Fluency Friday reading sessions provide children with the opportunity to develop their reading fluency through regular practice. These sessions focus on improving accuracy, pace, and expression, helping pupils to become more confident and expressive readers. By dedicating time each week to fluency, children build essential skills that enhance their overall comprehension and enjoyment of reading, supporting their progress across all areas of learning.