Reading Leader - Ms Morgan & Ms Pattenden

Our Approach to Reading

At our school, we believe that reading is the foundation for all learning. We are committed to developing confident, fluent readers who enjoy books and can understand, discuss and reflect on what they read. Our approach to reading is progressive, inclusive and designed to support every child to achieve their full potential.

Early Years Foundation Stage / Key Stage 1

In EYFS and Key Stage 1, children begin their reading journey by learning letter sounds and names, which they then apply to word building and early reading.

We use Read Write Inc. as the basis for our phonics teaching. This is a nationally recognised Systematic Synthetic Phonics (SSP) programme that provides a structured and consistent approach to early reading. Alongside phonics, children also learn a range of common exception words that are recognised by sight.

A wide range of genres is carefully selected and matched to each child’s reading ability. Beyond decoding, children are encouraged to:

• Talk about what they have read
• Share opinions about characters, settings and events
• Develop comprehension through discussion and questioning

More confident readers are challenged to explore themes, make predictions and justify their views using evidence from the text.

From Early Years, children are also taught essential early reading and comprehension skills through Talk 4 Reading, which develops vocabulary, understanding and confidence in spoken language.

Key Stage 2

In Key Stage 2, reading skills are further developed through:

• Independent reading
• Shared reading in English lessons
• Cross-curricular reading opportunities
• Reading for pleasure

Talk 4 Reading continues to be used to strengthen comprehension, inference, vocabulary and discussion skills.

Children explore a wide range of fiction, non-fiction and poetry, enabling them to:

• Access texts confidently
• Understand key ideas and vocabulary
• Discuss themes, tone and authorial intent
• Consider purpose and audience

Through rich discussion and questioning, children are encouraged to think deeply about what they read and to support their ideas with evidence from the text.

Assessment and Monitoring

We assess children’s reading comprehension and monitor reading ages using Accelerated Reader (AR), an interactive online platform.

Accelerated Reader:

• Helps match children to books within their individual Zone of Proximal Development (ZPD)
• Encourages independent reading
• Includes short online quizzes to check understanding

Children complete half-termly STAR Reading assessments, which provide valuable information about progress and next steps. Teachers use this data to set personalised reading targets and to ensure appropriate challenge and support.

Reading Events for Families

We strongly believe that a close partnership between school and home is key to developing confident, enthusiastic readers. By working together, we can support children to build positive reading habits and a lifelong love of books.

We hold a termly ‘Big Breakfast Read’ for children and families across the school. These popular events provide a relaxed and welcoming opportunity for parents and carers to share reading time with their child in school.

During the session, families can:

• Read together in a comfortable, informal setting
• Observe teachers modelling effective reading strategies
• Develop confidence in questioning, discussion and book talk to support reading at home

These events also allow children to proudly demonstrate their growing reading skills and enjoyment of books.

All attendees are welcomed with complimentary tea or coffee and a freshly baked croissant, helping to create a positive and inclusive reading culture within our school community.

In addition to our reading events, we provide a range of parent reading workshops throughout the year to further strengthen our partnership with families. These workshops are designed to support parents in understanding how reading is taught in school and how they can best help at home:

• Early Years workshops – supporting parents with early reading development, including how children learn to read, early phonics, blending and developing a love of stories.
• Key Stage 1 phonics workshops – helping parents understand our systematic synthetic phonics approach, how Read Write Inc. is taught, and practical ways to support reading and phonics at home.
• Key Stage 2 reading workshops – focusing on developing reading fluency, comprehension, vocabulary and supporting children as texts become longer and more demanding.

These workshops provide valuable guidance, practical strategies and opportunities for discussion, ensuring consistency between home and school.

What do pupils at St Michael's like to read

Click on the above link to listen to Ms Morgan and some of our pupils talking to The British Forces Broadcasting Service Radio Station

Book of the Month

Each month, we celebrate reading by sharing a Book of the Month, chosen by one of our classes. This initiative promotes reading for pleasure, encourages rich book talk and gives children a voice in recommending stories to others.

March 2026

This Month’s Choice: Beegu by Alexis Deacon

This month, Badgers Class (Year 2) have chosen Beegu.

What is it about?

Beegu is from another world and somehow gets lost on Earth. Lonely and confused, she wanders off to a nearby city to find some friends. But the only friendly people she comes across are the children, while the big Earth creatures just don’t seem to understand. Deacon’s simple text and soft illustrations cleverly convey a child’s feelings of uncertainty and confusion when faced with new surroundings.

Children’s comments about the book:
“I liked the middle of the book because the childen didn't want Beegu to leave.”

“I liked when Beegu snuggles up with the puppies and plays with the children.”

“I like that at the end of the book Beegu was reunited with her family.”

“My favourite bit was when the children didn't want to leave Beegu because they became friends.”

February 2026

This Month’s Choice: A Slice of the Moon by Sandy Toksvig

This month, Maple Class (Year 5) have chosen A Slice of the Moon.

What is it about?

This story follows Slim, a brave young girl who must leave her home in Ireland with her family to travel to America in search of a better life. Along the journey, Slim shows courage, kindness and hope. A moving adventure about family and bravery.

Children’s comments about the book:
"It is a fictional story but also provides information about the Irish famine. It reminds us of the fact that not everyone has the same luxuries as us."
"It has a lot of history of the Irish famine and the potato disease. I like how it talks about nature and foraging for food."
"It's emotional but joyful."
"I enjoyed it because it is very adventurous. "

January 2026

This Month’s Choice: The Ugly Five by Julia Donaldson

This month, Robins Class (Reception) have chosen The Ugly Five.

What is it about?

Set on the African savannah, the story follows five animals who are often labelled as the ugliest creatures on the plains. As the story unfolds, the animals discover that being different does not make them unimportant — in fact, each one plays a vital role in the natural world. With playful rhyme, humour and a powerful message about self-worth, The Ugly Five celebrates diversity and challenges traditional ideas of beauty.

Children’s comments about the story:

• “I love the hyena.”
• “I liked when all the animals came.”
• “They aren’t really ugly. They are actually beautiful.”