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To develop the key skills in reading, children in the Early Years and Year One take part in daily phonics sessions following Little Wandle Letters and Sounds. All children are expected to have been taught phase 5 by the time they join Year Two. In the summer term, children complete the national phonics screening check. This is carried out in school on a one-to-one basis. Children who do not meet the required standard will continue to receive targeted phonics teaching throughout Year 2 and be retested at the end of Year 2. 

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Alongside their daily phonics session, all children in Key Stage 1 also take part in guided reading sessions following the Little Wandle Letters and Sounds reading model. During these sessions, children read books which are matched to their letters and sounds phase. In Reception, phonics assessments determine when the children are ready to start reading a book matched to their phonics phase. The children in KS1 and Reception, once they are ready, are also provided with a text matched to their phonics phase to practise independent reading at home. 

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In KS2, the children continue to take part in daily reading sessions through a blended approach of whole class and guided group reading activities. These sessions focus on developing the children’s comprehension through guided and independent activities as well as fostering a love of reading. As well as using texts taken from the Newport Reading Spine, the children also read AIR (Accountable Independent Reading) books which are linked to the class Learning Exploration where possible. 

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In Phase 2 and 3 (KS1 and 2), children’s knowledge and understanding are assessed through use of PIRA standardised reading tests. Gaps in learning are identified to enable teachers to plan for children to keep up with the appropriate learning. 

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We believe that children who read for pleasure are motivated to read regularly. Therefore, all children can visit the school library to choose their own books which can be read independently or shared with an adult at home. These books help children to develop a lifelong love of reading. The Newport Read Aloud Spine is also used to introduce children to quality stories, poems and non-fiction by sharing these within class. These books are carefully chosen by staff to promote a love of reading or to link to the class Learning Exploration.   

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Children requiring additional support to learn to read confidently and fluently will have extra 1:1 or small group interventions.  Little Wandle Rapid Keep Up is in place to support reading development for older children alongside decodable texts suitable for their age and interest level. 

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