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Reading

School vision 

The study of English develops children’s ability to listen, speak, read, and write for a wide range of purposes. At Oakview Primary School, we aim to inspire a love of the English language and literature. We aspire to be a school where all pupils become enthusiastic and critical readers and can express their ideas, thoughts, and feelings with confidence, both orally and in writing. Proficiency in English empowers the individual and is a pre-requisite for educational and social progress. We strive to create an environment where all pupils become successful masters of the English language through listening, speaking, reading, and writing. We recognise that becoming a fluent, skilled, and attentive reader starts at the earliest stages, before children encounter a book for the first time, partly driven by the quality of their parents’ talk with them that expands their vocabulary. Making sure that children become engaged with reading from the beginning is one of the most important ways we can support them to make a difference to their life chances, whatever their socio-economic background. For this to happen, however, we know that children need to learn to read as fluently as possible and be motivated to continue reading. 

Spoken language 

We recognise the importance of spoken language in pupils’ development across the whole curriculum is paramount. Spoken language underpins the development of reading and writing. The children are encouraged and supported to develop effective communication skills in readiness for later life. 

Aims of teaching reading

  • To help children to become confident, independent, and life-long readers. 
  • To develop enthusiastic and reflective readers who can engage with challenging and substantial texts. 
  • To promote the enjoyment of reading. 

As a school, we aim to develop the children’s ability to read fluently, confidently, and independently so that they value and enjoy reading. The school teaches reading using high quality texts, through a combination of approaches including: 

  • Listening to books together. 
  • Adults reading aloud to children from high quality vocabulary-rich texts.
  • Whole class modelled and shared reading. 
  • Guided reading in groups with the teacher or as whole class.
  • Supported reading in groups with T / TA.
  • Independent reading, both at home and in school. 
  • Paired reading by pupils.