Reading

For information about early reading, please visit our phonics page.

Intent

At St Margaret’s CE Primary School, we aim to foster a lifelong love of reading. We recognise that reading is a fundamental skill that underpins all areas of the curriculum. Our approach ensures that children not only learn to read fluently but also understand how to read critically and thoughtfully. We want every child to see themselves reflected in the texts they encounter and to feel inspired by the stories they read.

Our reading curriculum is designed to:

• Develop confident, fluent readers who enjoy reading for pleasure and purpose.
• Equip children with strong comprehension strategies to support learning across subjects.
• Promote inclusion and diversity through carefully chosen texts.
• Encourage children to think deeply about language, meaning and authorial intent.

Implementation

Class Reading

• Teachers read aloud to their classes daily for 15 minutes, using high-quality, diverse texts that reflect our school community.
• These sessions build vocabulary, comprehension, memory and enjoyment.

Book Corners and Libraries

• Every classroom has a well-stocked book corner with fiction and non-fiction texts, often themed to support curriculum topics.
• Children are encouraged to recommend books and take them home to read.
• Our KS1 and KS2 libraries are central to the school, with weekly timetabled visits for each class.
• Library books are logged and monitored, with Year 6 pupils acting as library monitors.

Guided Reading

• From Year 2 onwards, we use a whole-class approach to Guided Reading three times per week.
• Lessons are structured around the VIPERS framework (Vocabulary, Inference, Prediction, Explanation, Retrieval, Summarise/Sequence).
• Mixed ability pairings encourage inclusive discussion and peer learning.
• Teachers model reading strategies and differentiate questions to meet all learners’ needs.
• All children read aloud and receive individual feedback.
• All classes use physical books for Guided Reading lessons, generously donated by our PTA, helping ensure every child has access to high-quality texts.

Community and Home Involvement

• Parents are encouraged to read with their children at home and use question prompts available on our website.
• Reading volunteers from the community support fluency and confidence, receiving training in key strategies.

Assessment

• Reading is assessed through formative methods (questioning, discussion, observation) and termly NFER tests.
• PM Benchmarking is used for targeted support.
• Year 6 pupils complete statutory SATs as a final summative assessment.

Impact

By the time children leave St Margaret’s, they will:

• Be fluent, confident readers who enjoy reading and understand its value.
• Use a range of comprehension strategies to engage with texts across the curriculum.
• Be able to discuss and analyse texts using subject-specific vocabulary.
• Have experienced a wide range of authors, genres and perspectives.
• Be reflective, independent readers who read for both pleasure and learning.