Recommended Reading Lists

Our reading curriculum is frequently reviewed to ensure texts read throughout the school are carefully selected to represent our community; we want every child to recognise themselves in the books we offer.

Intent

At Ravenshead C of E Primary School we are incredibly passionate about reading.

Being able to read well matters – it matters to all. We believe it is the pinnacle of all learning. We know, it can significantly impact on success in school and beyond. It takes all (adults and children alike) into imagined worlds far beyond their own experiences; making possible endless opportunities to explore new areas of learning, thinking and ideas. The power of reading is immeasurable, and we want all children to be able to take full advantage of the benefits, pleasure and enjoyment that it has to offer. We aim to develop positive attitudes towards reading so every child thinks of themselves as a reader and has fostered a love of the written word in all its various forms. We wish to create a community of readers that share, enjoy and promote reading as a skill and desirable past time.

Implementation

We teach reading in a variety of ways at our school; this includes but is not limited to, group teaching, whole class, close text analysis, discreet phonics teaching, shared, peer and 1:1 reading. Furthermore, all classes have texts read to them throughout the year linked to different cultures, traditions, social needs, values and topics. This helps to promote reading as a desirable past time for all and something that should be valued, treasured and given variety.

Reading to the Children

Our goal is to motivate children to want to read and become passionate about books so they will practice reading independently and, thus, become fluent and enthusiastic readers. That happens when children enjoy reading and are immersed in its wonders. As parents and teachers, we can do for reading what fast food chains do for hamburgers! ADVERTISE, ADVERTISE, ADVERTISE! And we advertise by reading great stories and poems to children with passion, love and enthusiasm.

During every school day, the class teachers will read and share high-quality texts (from different cultures; covering different socio-economic topics and promoting different lifelong values) to your children at a level which is beyond their reading age. This ensures that we continue to develop their vocabulary and understanding of characters and plot far beyond their reading level. It also gives them access to worlds and experiences different to their own. In this time, we also revisit favourite texts chosen from our high-quality book lists and topics. 

We can help our children find the tools they need to succeed in life. Having access to information through the printed word is an absolute necessity. Knowledge is power, and books are full of it. But reading is more than just a practical tool. Through books we can enrich our minds; we can also relax and enjoy some precious leisurely and collaborative moments.

With our help, your children can begin a lifelong relationship with the printed word, so they grow into adults who read easily and frequently whether for business, knowledge, or pleasure.

Phonics

We are committed to teaching a phonics curriculum with fidelity.  All of our staff have been trained to use the 'Letters and Sound' guidance effectively.  We ensure the correct pace and progression is followed and extra practice sessions take place for children who need additional support.

Our phonics assessment of the children is conducted with rigour and is identified through the careful choice of decodable books for our pupils.  We are proud of the selection of books we have invested in throughout school and we are using a careful assessment to ensure 95% fluency, matched to the phonics teaching content and ability.  We view our decodable books as the key to unlock 'the golden gate' of reading a selection of books; adopting a lifelong love of reading.

Impact

The impact of our reading curriculum can be clearly seen across the school through children talking about their love of reading, the quality of the texts the children are reading, the quality of teaching across the school and the commitment to reading within the wider community which is evident in our hugely popular reading events, competitions, speakers and volunteers.