Reading

We believe every child should leave The Vale Primary Academy with the ability to read fluently, to comprehend and infer meaning from a range of texts. We endeavour to offer our pupils a wide selection of texts, from a range cultures and many aspects of our society. Pupils are able to access in multiple formats, range from but not exclusive to, hard copies of books, newspapers, magazine, e-books, digital learning platforms and audio books.

We pride ourselves in celebrating a love of reading throughout school from the moment the pupils arrive until the moment they leave. We encourage pupils to develop a love of reading so that they become life-long readers. It is our aim to ensure that pupils become fluent readers as early as possible. We recognise how crucial this is for pupils to be able to access all areas of the curriculum.

Each class has reading for pleasure time to further immerse themselves in quality texts. There are inviting reading areas situated in every classroom where children may sit and read for pleasure in their own time. We have also invested in re-stocking the home-reading books in order to ensure that all pupils have an appropriate text to help develop their reading fluency. In addition to this, we have invested in the Oxford Reading Scheme books to ensure pupils are taking home a phonetically decodable book that is matched to their reading ability. We also have a digital subscription to Oxford Owl online.

Furthermore, books are strategically placed in classrooms and in corridors that allow children to further their knowledge on subjects that may interest them. Our intent is that no child should leave our school without being able to read.

We listen to the pupils read regularly and they are then encouraged to read aloud to an adult at home at least four times a week. This is to help reinforce their word recognition; improve their fluency and confidence; and share their love of reading with siblings and parents. We reward pupils who read at home with ‘regular reading’ dojos. We acknowledge that not all pupils will have the opportunity to read at home. Therefore, we ensure these pupils are listened to as often as possible within school. We also offer in school reading clubs, at break times and lunch times, for children who do not receive regular reading at home.

We want the pupils to develop a love of reading. This is encouraged through the use of reading challenges, our school library and class texts. We ensure all of our pupils read widely and often, with fluency and comprehension appropriate to their age. Furthermore, we arrange engaging experiences such as author visits and library visits to expose the pupils to the joy that reading can bring. This aims to involve and inspire the community with developing a love of reading.

A strategic approach to story time is being embedded. All pupils in the academy enjoy listening to an age appropriate story every day. Each classroom is transformed in to an inviting environment where the pupils are able to lose themselves in the imaginary world inspired by the story telling experience. Story tellers are also invited in to school when and where possible.