English - Reading

At Eden Park Nursery and Primary School, we want children to love reading as much as we do; reading for pleasure is prioritised and at the heart of our curriculum. Time is organised to support all children to become confident, keen, and capable readers so that they are able to access the entire curriculum. We understand that being able to read fluently and being able to comprehend what they have read is a key life skill within education and beyond. We are committed to ensure that all children are taught to read well, reach age expectations, and share an enthusiasm and love for reading that travels beyond their life at school. 

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EYFS

Our Early Years journey fosters a love of reading through a rich, language-filled curriculum and immersive classroom environments. From age two, children begin phonics with 'Letters and Sounds,' progressing to 'Read Write Inc.' in Nursery and Reception. Daily phonics lessons, matched reading books, and strategies like BIG TALK support vocabulary development and language understanding.Children enjoy listening to multiple stories each day and engage in language-rich play through Continuous Provision. Weekly story themes enhance learning with creative, hands-on experiences.

Key Stage 1

In Key Stage One, daily phonics lessons using Read Write Inc. support early reading development. Children read books matched to their phonics level, both in school and at home. Additional support is provided for those needing extra help. Once children complete the phonics program, they transition to Accelerated Reader, taking regular quizzes and termly assessments to track progress. Those in the ‘Graduates Group’ focus on building fluency, stamina, and comprehension. The weekly reading structure is flexible and adapts to meet the needs of each class.

Key Stage 2

In Key Stage 2, children take part in whole class reading lessons using carefully chosen,age-appropriate texts. Lessons follow Eden Park’s DRIVE model (Decode,Retrieve, Infer, Vocabulary, Explore), which helps build vocabulary, fluency, and comprehension skills. Weekly lessons begin by focusing on fluency and vocabulary development, including word meaning, synonyms, etymology, and morphology. Strategies like speed reads and echo reading support reading pace and expression. Children then work on specific objectives such as inference or summarising, learning to find and justify evidence in the text. The week ends with comprehension tasks that teach effective skimming.

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Enriching Reading

At our primary school, we are committed to enriching reading experiences for all pupils through a variety of engaging initiatives. Highlights include our celebration of World Book Day, which inspires excitement around books and storytelling. Regular library visits help foster a love of reading and familiarity with a wide range of literature, while “Drop Everything and Read” moments encourage spontaneous reading throughout the day. We also invite visitors into school, such as Sensory Story sessions, Malou, and the dynamic team from Entertainingly Different, to bring stories to life in interactive and memorable ways. Poetry performances provide a platform for creative expression, and our welcoming reading corners offer inviting spaces for children to enjoy books in a calm and cozy setting. To further motivate pupils, we celebrate their achievements through the Million Words Award, recognising those who demonstrate a strong commitment to reading.

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Leaders give reading the highest priority. They have established a curriculum that ensures all pupils can learn and enjoy reading. From the moment they start in the Nursery, children experience rich opportunities to learn language , including through sharing books.” (Ofsted, 2023)

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