Reading Curriculum Statement
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ASPIRE - LEARN - FLOURISH
The Aspire Learning Federation is made up of two schools - Elm Park Primary School and R J Mitchell Primary School in the London Borough of Havering.
At R J Mitchell Primary School, we are passionate about developing a lifelong love of books and reading in our pupils. At the heart of our curriculum is a steadfast focus on nurturing our pupils' reading abilities. We believe that the opportunity to be fluent, confident readers who can successfully comprehend and understand a wide range of texts is crucial for their academic and personal growth. Through a carefully curated selection of books, authors, and genres, we strive to ensure that all our pupils read fluently and can fully engage with the stories and information they encounter.
We aim to instil a genuine appreciation for the written word in our pupils. By exposing them to a diverse range of literature, we encourage our children to explore new worlds, expand their horizons, and develop a lifelong love of reading. Whilst learning more about themselves, others and the world they are in, alongside developing them culturally, emotionally, spiritually and socially.
Core Texts and Whole-Class Reading
At the heart of our reading curriculum are carefully curated core texts that reflect the diversity of our community and allow our children to become familiar with a wide range of genres, perspectives, and literary styles. From the earliest years, all children have a book in front of them, engaging with these rich, thought-provoking texts during dedicated whole-class reading sessions.
We follow the CUSP reading curriculum, which we use to deliver engaging, whole-class reading lessons daily in Key Stage 2. These sessions are designed to develop our children's understanding of different reading domains, with pupils actively answering questions that challenge their comprehension skills.
In Key Stage 1 and Early Years, our approach to reading is more talk-based, with pupils engaging in quality reading-focused discussions several times per week, alternating with writing lessons. This allows our younger learners to build a strong foundation in the essential skills of reading.
Early Reading
In the early stages of reading development, our children benefit from the systematic teaching of phonics through the acclaimed Read Write Inc. programme. Phonics lessons are taught daily in Early Years and Key Stage 1, as well as for pupils in Key Stage 2 who require additional support to lay the foundation for fluent, confident reading.
Individual Reading
To ensure that each child is challenged and supported at their individual level, we use banded books that are carefully matched to their reading abilities. Weekly one-on-one reading sessions with teachers and teaching assistants provide opportunities for targeted support and intervention, helping to address any gaps in learning and foster a love of reading.
Alongside our whole-class approach, we prioritise individual reading support for our pupils. Children in Key Stage 1 and Early Years read with an adult on a weekly basis, while Key Stage 2 pupils who require additional support are also provided with regular one-to-one reading sessions.
Where gaps in learning are identified, we swiftly implement tailored interventions to address these needs. Our commitment to being a 'Supportive' and 'Outstanding' school means that we leave no child behind, ensuring that each and every one of our pupils has the opportunity to develop their reading skills and a love of literature.
Reading Around the School
In each of our classrooms, you'll find inviting reading areas with baskets of carefully curated books, including a variety of story books, informational texts, teacher-recommended titles, and books by featured authors. This diverse selection encourages our pupils to explore different genres and discover new literary worlds.
Our school is proud to offer two distinct library areas: a reference library stocked with a wide range of informational texts, and a fiction library where pupils can choose both a reading book and a book for pleasure. These dedicated spaces provide our children with ample opportunities to broaden their horizons, satisfy their curiosities, and cultivate a lifelong love of reading.
Reading at Home
Recognising the crucial role that families play in a child's reading development, we encourage our pupils to read at home with an adult at least three times a week. Those who meet this target are invited to our termly "Readers' Treat," a celebration of their hard work and dedication.
Class Read
At the end of each day, our pupils eagerly await their class story time session, where their teacher shares the current core text or fiction book with the class. These captivating story times not only foster a sense of community and shared experience but also expose our children to a rich tapestry of literature, inspiring them to embark on their own reading adventures.