English - Reading and Phonics

  Reading is the key that opens every door.

At Radwinter CofE (VA) Primary School, a Church of England Voluntary Aided School, we believe that reading is fundamental to every child’s future academic success, well-being, and personal growth. Our approach to teaching reading and phonics reflects our Christian vision of “growing and learning together to embrace life in all its fullness” (John 10:10). We are committed to nurturing confident, enthusiastic readers who enjoy exploring stories and information, enabling them to thrive both in school and beyond.

Our Approach to Reading and Phonics

We understand that learning to read is a journey that requires patience, encouragement, and the confidence to make mistakes and learn from them. At Radwinter, we foster a caring, happy, and secure environment where every child feels valued and supported as they develop these vital skills.

Phonics Programme:
We use Little Wandle Letters and Sounds programme, a systematic and evidence-based phonics scheme.

In Reception(EYFS), Year 1, and the autumn term of Year 2, children participate in daily phonics sessions to build strong foundations in decoding and blending sounds.

Reading groups are organised to provide focused support:

• EYFS: Little Wandle reading groups twice weekly.
• Year 1: Little Wandle reading groups three times weekly.
• Year 2: Groups continue for children still working within the scheme.

Reading groups Years 3 and Above:
We provide Silent Sustained Reading (SSR) sessions to allow for individual reading time, fostering independence and a love of reading. Alongside this, small group reading groups are tailored to individual needs to support fluency, comprehension, and confidence.

Reading Practice and Enjoyment:

• Individual Reading Reception and Year 1: Children from Reception through Year 1 take home their group reading book every Friday, along with a Reading for Pleasure book from our well-stocked library to encourage a lifelong love of reading.
• Individual Reading Year 2 to Year 6: Children take home a banded reading book as well as book chosen from the library.
• Group Reading: Alongside phonics, children in Years 2 to 6 engage in 2-3 weekly comprehension lessons to develop understanding and critical thinking skills.

In addition to dedicated reading lessons, we integrate reading opportunities across the curriculum, including choral reading, echo reading and shared reading activities, to build fluency and confidence in all lessons.

Support for All Learners:

We recognise that some children may need extra help to keep up or catch up. Our programme includes:

• Little Wandle Keep-up sessions in Key Stage 1.
• Little Wandle Catch-up sessions in Key Stage 2.
• Personalised Little Wandle SEND planning to ensure all children’s individual needs are met, reflecting our commitment to fairness, kindness, and respect.
• We also personalise the resources to meet children's needs using a range of resources such as Toe-by-Toe, Read and Think and a KS2 phonics reading series.

We are committed to meeting the needs of all readers, including those making accelerated progress. Our approach includes small group work, personalised book discussions, and carefully guided book choices that help children select texts to broaden and deepen their reading experience. For confident readers, we provide targeted support to develop specific aspects of their reading, ensuring continued progress and challenge. We also use carefully selected, engaging book band texts to extend vocabulary, promote critical thinking, and maintain high levels of interest, ensuring every child thrives and grows as a reader.

Reading Resources at Radwinter

• Children begin their reading journey with carefully matched Little Wandle reading books that support their phonics learning.
• As they progress, children move onto Big Cat Collins Reading Books, which offer a wider range of genres and texts to deepen their reading skills.
• All children regularly take home a Reading for Pleasure book, chosen from our library to inspire curiosity, imagination, and enjoyment.

• Celebrating Reading:
  We celebrate reading throughout the year with a dedicated Book Week filled with exciting activities, author visits, and opportunities for parents to come into school and share their love of reading with the children.

• Parental Support:
  To support families on their reading journey, we provide reading workshops in Reception. These sessions help parents understand how to support their child’s early reading development at home in a confident and effective way.

• Community of Readers:
  We are proud to have a wonderful team of Radwinter Readers—volunteers who support reading across classes throughout the school, providing additional encouragement and individual attention to our children.

How Our Vision and Values Shape Reading at Radwinter

Our Christian vision inspires us to value every child as a unique learner, ensuring that reading is more than just a skill—it is a gateway to understanding the world and embracing life in all its fullness. By fostering a love of reading, we equip children with the tools to explore diverse cultures and perspectives, nurturing spiritual awareness and empathy.

• We encourage hope through celebrating progress and perseverance in learning to read.
• Our staff model kindness and forgiveness by creating a supportive atmosphere where children feel safe to try and learn from mistakes.
• Through reading, children develop wisdom and dignity as they engage with stories and ideas beyond their own experiences.
• We serve our community by preparing children to live well in a diverse society, reflecting our value of service.

Supporting Your Child’s Reading at Home

We believe that reading is a partnership between school and home. Reading at home with your child has the biggest impact on your child's reading progress. You can support your child by:

• Encouraging daily reading, even for a few minutes, to build confidence and fluency.
• Celebrating effort and progress, reassuring your child that making mistakes is a normal part of learning.
• Sharing stories and talking about books to develop comprehension and a love of language.

If you have any questions about your child’s reading progress or how to support them, please do not hesitate to contact their class teacher or Mrs Fuller, our reading Lead

Summary

At Radwinter CofE (VA) Primary School, reading and phonics are at the heart of our curriculum because we know that confident readers become successful learners and compassionate members of society. Through our structured phonics programme, engaging reading opportunities, and strong home-school partnership, we strive to ensure every child flourishes and embraces life in all its fullness.

Discover more about our curriculum and how we support your child’s learning journey by exploring our website or arranging a visit. Together, we can inspire a lifelong love of reading.