Reading

At Preston, we are deeply passionate about reading. We believe that reading is a gateway to the world, and every child deserves the opportunity to become confident, keen and capable readers. 

Phonics with Read Write Inc.  

We start our early reading through Read Write Inc, a systematic synthetic phonics programme. The programme develops all the components of reading instruction as well as decoding skills at the early stages, including fluency, vocabulary development and comprehension. Direct and focused phonics is taught everyday using Read Write Inc. Children will be taught at their level of their phonological awareness regardless of age. Children are taught to recognise sounds, read decodable green words, red tricky words and alien words. They then practise spelling and writing these words. Children are taught to apply their phonics skills and improve fluency through the RWInc story books used during these sessions, which they regularly re-read and become familiar with.  

Blended Approach to Teaching Reading

Children in KS1 who have completed the RWI programme and children in KS2 are taught reading through Devon Education Services Re-Think Reading. Our approach to teaching reading is blended, so we teach reading through both whole class and guided group teaching, as well as giving children independent practise to implement and demonstrate their understanding. This approach allows children to develop as skilled readers who are developing the reading skills that they need to practise to allow them to succeed and build their knowledge and skills one step at a time. In these sessions, they will learn how to develop both their reading fluency and comprehension.  

Reading for Pleasure

Developing a lifelong love of reading is at the heart of everything we do. Every classroom has timetabled sessions where children can immerse themselves in books, fostering a lifelong love of reading. During these dedicated times, children are encouraged to explore a wide variety of genres and choose books that spark their interest, all while enjoying comfortable, inviting reading spaces.

To further nurture this passion, we introduce half-termly reading themes that inspire and engage our young readers. Our reading newsletter demonstrates everyone as a reader, featuring teacher and children book recommendations, school reading news, and updates on local reading events. Click here to read our current and past reading newsletters. 

Additionally, our weekly Book Club, held in the library, offers a welcoming space for children to come together, share their favourite stories, and build a sense of community through literature. 

Reading Aloud

Across each Unit, we have mapped out age-appropriate high quality reading spines for each half-term which include fiction, non-fiction and poetry which is read aloud by adults in each class as part of our daily timetable. We keep these books in our Read Aloud baskets in our classrooms and children have choice to select which book they would like to listen to. These books engage our readers into a variety of topics including books about diversity, inclusion, curriculum-related books and books from Pie Corbett’s reading spines.