Reading is pivotal to a child’s learning in general. The teaching of reading skills and the understanding of literature, enables the children to become lifelong, confident readers. As children begin to read, we focus on decoding, primarily through phonics, whole word recognition, rhyme, and context. As children build fluency, comprehension skills become our main area of focus and questioning looks at the ‘content domains’, as outlined in the National Curriculum.

We encourage you to read with your child on a regular basis in order to support their reading progress. With your support, your child will be able to, not only read but also understand the text at a greater depth.

Reading is more than just being able to decode and read words, which is why we have linked support materials, for you to use when reading with your child.

The importance of reading is emphasised in the National Curriculum:

The programmes of study for reading at key stages 1 and 2 consist of 2 dimensions:

• word reading
• comprehension (both listening and reading)

Skilled word reading involves both the speedy working out of the pronunciation of unfamiliar printed words (decoding) and the speedy recognition of familiar printed words. Underpinning both is the understanding that the letters on the page represent the sounds in spoken words. This is why phonics should be emphasised.

Good comprehension draws from linguistic knowledge (in particular of vocabulary and grammar) and on knowledge of the world. Comprehension skills develop through pupils’ experience of high-quality discussion, as well as from reading and discussing a range of stories, poems and non-fiction. All children must be encouraged to read widely across both fiction and non-fiction to develop their knowledge of themselves and the world they live in, to establish an appreciation and love of reading, and to gain knowledge across the curriculum. Reading widely and often increases childrens' vocabulary because they encounter words they would rarely hear or use in everyday speech. Reading also feeds pupils’ imagination and opens up a treasure house of wonder and joy for curious young minds.

It is essential that, by the end of their primary education, all pupils are able to read fluently, and with confidence, in any subject in their forthcoming secondary education.