Reading Overview
At Sandling Primary School, our reading curriculum is designed to instill a lifelong love of reading while embedding our school’s PRACTISE values. In Year R to Year 2, children become problem solvers as they learn to decode words through Little Wandle phonics, developing resilience as they persevere with new sounds and words. Carefully chosen stories nurture an adventurous spirit, sparking curiosity and a love of storytelling. From Year 3 to Year 6, children deepen their understanding through novel studies, focusing on comprehension and fostering creativity as they explore characters, themes, and ideas. Collaborative discussions build teamwork, while independent reading activities promote independence and self-assurance as children confidently navigate texts. Our library enhances esteem, providing all children access to books that reflect their interests and encourage reading for pleasure.
What our pupils say about their Reading learning
| "To help me read, I sound out the sounds and put them together to read the words out loud. We read books with the sounds in. Francesca " - Year R |
| "I Like reading with expression, when we talk with voices." Jamie - Year 1 |
| "Reading poems is lots of fun – especially when they rhyme! We have learnt a poem called ‘Bodies Can Do Anything’ which taught us new vocabulary. I then read ‘Girls Can Do Anything’ and really enjoyed it." Sienna - Year 2 |
| "I enjoyed Here Comes Hercules, it was really funny. I have since read The Golden Fleece which is similar." Teddy - Year 3 |
| "I like reading and using VIPERS, they are really good because it helps to give me an idea about how to answer the question. Isla "I have really enjoyed reading The Hero Twins, because of VIPERS I can see where it is going." Toby - Year 4 |
| "When you read a book, it is like drawing your own film or fairy tale in your mind." Francesca - Year 5 |
| "Using VIPERS helps guide us to learn new skills. Reading contrasting books about World War 2 (Rose Blanche and Goodnight Mr Tom) has helped us to understand the different themes and challenges of WW2. Reading is the key to learning about the past." Don - Year 6 |
How We Teach Reading at Sandling Primary School
At Sandling Primary School, we aim to develop confident, fluent, and enthusiastic readers through a structured and progressive approach to teaching reading.
Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS)
In EYFS, early reading skills are developed through the Little Wandle synthetic phonics program, which teaches children sounds and word-blending skills. Reading sessions and cross-curricular activities reinforce these foundational skills. Once children demonstrate secure phonics knowledge, fully decodable phonics-matched books are sent home to support their practice. Families are also provided with additional books for reading for pleasure to encourage a love of stories.
Home reading diaries are introduced in EYFS. These diaries include the book title and space for brief comments from both the child and parents/carers. Parents are encouraged to sign the diary after hearing their child read, and teachers acknowledge this by stamping the record weekly.
Key Stage 1
- Year 1: Children continue to develop their decoding skills using Little Wandle phonics. For those requiring additional support, targeted ‘Keep Up’ sessions are provided. Fully decodable books are sent home for reinforcement, alongside books for reading for pleasure.
- Year 2: Phonics knowledge and reading strategies are consolidated and extended, with ‘Keep Up’ sessions available for children who need additional practice. Teaching focuses on developing inference skills and understanding meaning beyond the literal. Children take home Little Wandle phonics books and additional texts from the class library to share with their families.
Home reading diaries are continued in Key Stage 1, encouraging regular communication between home and school about reading progress.
Key Stage 2
In Key Stage 2, phonics and decoding strategies are revisited and extended as needed. Children requiring further support work through the Little Wandle Rapid Catch-Up intervention program until they master all phases of phonics.
Children’s reading levels are assessed three times a year for fluency and accuracy, with books color-coded to match their reading ability. This ensures they are reading at an appropriate level and making steady progress. Books are chosen from their class book corners, and children record their reading in their Reading Records. They are expected to read at home and log their reading at least three times a week.
Whole-Class Reading Sessions:
Teaching focuses on a high-quality, whole-class text, often the same as the one used in English lessons, to provide coherence and deeper engagement. These texts are carefully selected to cover a range of genres, cultures, authors, and themes, ensuring progression and diversity.
Reading lessons use a VIPERS skill-based approach, covering:
- Vocabulary
- Inference
- Prediction
- Explanation
- Retrieval
- Summary
Each lesson emphasizes one skill, taught through teacher modelling, whole-class teaching, group work, and independent practice. A VIPERS progression document guides skill development across Key Stage 2.
Additionally, non-fiction reading skills are taught every term, linked to curriculum content or themes in the class text. These lessons integrate VIPERS skills to enhance comprehension and analytical abilities.
Additional Reading Opportunities
- School Library: All children in Years 1-6 have access to the school library, with opportunities to borrow books regularly.
- Class Libraries: Each class features a well-stocked book corner to encourage independent and guided reading.
By combining phonics, comprehension strategies, and a love for literature, we ensure that children at Sandling Primary School grow into confident, capable, and enthusiastic readers.
Please contact the English Lead via the school office if you have any further questions.
