Reading at Oakhurst
Turner
‘Hello, everybody! My name is Turner and I am your reading mascot here at Oakhurst Community Primary School. I was designed by one of our pupils to help remind us all of the power and joy of reading a good book. I’ll help you along the way as you grow your knowledge and curiosity in all things reading!
Intent
At Oakhurst Community Primary School, we strive for every child to become a confident and independent reader. Our core aim is to help every child to make the maximum amount of progress in reading during their time with us, but also to leave our school with a lifetime love of reading. We understand that being able to read provides children with access to the world around them and supports their ability to learn and develop their knowledge in all curriculum areas.
Implementation
Phonics
The systematic teaching of phonics has a high priority throughout Foundation Stage and Key Stage 1. At Oakhurst Community Primary School, we use a synthetic phonics programme called ‘Read Write Inc.’ produced by Ruth Miskin.
Our staff teach learners the relationship between sounds and the written spelling patterns, or graphemes, which represent them. All children in Reception, KS1 and, where necessary, KS2 have daily phonics sessions in small ability groups where they participate in speaking, listening, spelling, reading, comprehension and writing activities that are specifically matched to their current needs.
The teachers draw upon observations and continuous assessment to ensure children are stretched and challenged and to identify children who may need additional support. Timely intervention is planned for those children who are working below expected levels as soon as their needs are identified.
Guided Reading
When children have completed the Read, Write, Inc phonics programme, reading is developed during guided reading, using high quality texts and focused teaching.
At Oakhurst Community Primary School, we have chosen to adopt Ashley Booth’s guided reading scheme for our Key Stage 2 children. This provides children with wide ranging opportunities to read and enjoy high quality fiction, poetry and non-fiction texts.
During whole class guided reading sessions, children work to develop and hone their key reading skills: decoding, vocabulary, inference, prediction, explanation, retrieval and summarising.
Children also continue to develop their reading fluency and pace, building upon their phonics knowledge and skills.
We recognise the importance of developing a rich and extensive bank of vocabulary; therefore, we discreetly teach vocabulary directly linked to the text during every phonics and guided reading session. This is reinforced daily during sessions, ensuring new vocabulary is embedded.
Class Picture Books and Novels
One of core beliefs as a school is that all children should experience the pleasure of being read to. Each teacher will select a book and read it aloud to their class each day, bringing the book to life through their expert and engaging delivery. We believe that all adults are role models who can excite, engage and inspire children to read for pleasure.
Reading at Home
Reading at home is actively encouraged and promoted. Children working on the Read Write Inc. programme take home a ‘book bag book’ matched directly to their current phonics level and that they have practised in school. This book is intended to help build the children’s confidence and fluency as it has already been practised in school three times. In addition to this, children also take home a complimentary book, also matched directly to their current phonics level, that hasn’t been practised in school for them to share with you.
Following this, children work through our school reading scheme – these are levelled books which match the child’s current reading ability. Children from Key Stage 2 have access to the school library which is stocked with a wide range of fiction and non-fiction books. Our school library is run and maintained by our school librarians. Year 6 children can apply to be librarians as part of our school election process.
Regular practice at home cements the reading skills and strategies taught in school, encourages and instills a love of reading within children and facilitates family time and social interaction within the home.
Impact
By the time children leave Oakhurst Community Primary School, they are competent readers who can recommend books to their peers, have a thirst for reading a range of genres and participate in discussions about books, including evaluating an author’s use of language and the impact this can have on the reader.
Additional resources
Phonics Glossary
For a helpful parent and carer phonics glossary, click here.
Reading Comprehension
For ideas relating to how you can create special storytimes at home by reading to your children and how you can help bolster your children’s comprehension skills through questioning, click here.
How can I find out more?
We are always more than happy to help.
If you have any queries, or you would like to find out more, please use the Enquiry Form found by navigating to the ‘Contact Us‘ tab on the main menu. Alternatively, you can direct your query to admin@oakhurst.swindon.sch.uk and we will put you in contact with the relevant member of staff.