Phonics

At Romsey Abbey C of E Primary School, we believe that all our children can become fluent readers and writers. This is why we teach reading through Little Wandle Letters and Sounds Revised, which is a systematic and synthetic phonics programme. We start teaching phonics in Reception and follow the Little Wandle Letters and Sounds Revised progression, which ensures children build on their growing knowledge of the alphabetic code, mastering phonics to read and spell as they move through school.

 

As a result, all our children are able to tackle any unfamiliar words as they read. At Romsey Abbey C of E Primary School, we also model the application of the alphabetic code through phonics in shared reading and writing, both inside and outside of the phonics lesson and across the curriculum. We have a strong focus on language development for our children because we know that speaking and listening are crucial skills for reading and writing in all subjects.

 

Comprehension

At Romsey Abbey C of E Primary School, we value reading as a crucial life skill. By the time children leave us, they read confidently for meaning and regularly enjoy reading for pleasure. Our readers are equipped with the tools to tackle unfamiliar vocabulary. We encourage our children to see themselves as readers for both pleasure and purpose.

 

Once pupils are confident with the use of phonics to decode texts, they develop their fluency and comprehension through the Accelerated Reader Scheme. Pupils are given a variety of books to select from, both fiction and non-fiction texts, and are given the independence to choose books that excite them. Once they have finished reading a book, pupils complete a quiz to challenge their understanding of the text and develop key reading skills.

 

Star Reading

Children from Reception and KS1 have a home reading record. Parents and Carers record their comments to share with adults in school and adults will look in this on a weekly basis. Children earn stars for reading 3 times at home and also for completing a book.

Children in KS2 are provided with a Reading Star Journal which encourages children to engage with their reading at home by rewarding regular reading, completing and recording the fiction and non-fiction books they have read as well as choosing from a range of challenges to deepen their engagement with the books they have read. 

All pupils' wonderful reading efforts and achievements are celebrated within our Celebration Collective Worship with children earning certificates and badges for the stars they earn.

 

Reading for Pleasure

Throughout the year we foster an excitement about reading by holding ‘world book day’ where classes complete various activities and dress up as book characters. We hold an annual 'Reading Aloud' competition through which we see a variety of genres performed with expression and confidence. as well as a sponsored read to develop reading stamina and regularity.

We also have a developing relationship with the public library service. Pupils have the opportunity to visit Romsey library and learn how to use their library card to scan out books.  We actively encourage pupils to participate in the Hampshire libraries summer reading challenge as a way of continuing to work on developing their reading skills and love of reading outside of the classroom.

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Click here to read find out more about how you can help improve your child's reading.

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