English Reading
Intent
At Alkerden, reading is at the heart of our curriculum. We aim for every learner to become fluent, confident and thoughtful readers, able to understand and engage with a wide range of texts that broaden their understanding of themselves, their community, and the world around them.
Our reading curriculum is designed to:
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Develop strong decoding skills through systematic phonics, enabling early readers to access the “treasure-house” of reading.
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Build a rich vocabulary and deepen comprehension through exposure to a broad and diverse set of high-quality texts, including modern and classic literature, non-fiction, poetry and culturally diverse works.
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Teach comprehension and critical reading skills: inference, prediction, retrieval, summarising, explanation, preparing learners to understand and interpret complex texts.
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Foster a love of reading: through reading for pleasure, exposure to varied genres, and engaging activities that encourage learners to view reading as a lifelong habit and joy.
Implementation
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From EYFS and Year 1, we use a rigorous phonics programme to teach learners to recognise, blend and segment sounds. Phonics lessons are systematic, sequential and supported by daily review, practice, and application in reading decodable books.
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Teachers monitor learning carefully. Regular formative and summative assessments identify learners needing additional support; timely interventions ensure that all learners' progress and gaps are addressed.
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We provide a wide and diverse reading environment: a well-resourced library, classroom reading corners, and opportunities for reading across the curriculum. Reading for pleasure is encouraged through class reading time, book sharing, reading events, and exposure to a broad variety of texts.
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As learners become more confident, reading teaching shifts to whole-class reading sessions. Through structured reading programmes, learners explore fiction, non-fiction and poetry; develop comprehension skills using domains such as vocabulary, inference, prediction, retrieval, summarising and explaining.
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In early reading practice sessions, learners read decodable texts carefully matched to their phonics knowledge. These sessions build fluency, prosody (intonation, expression) and comprehension. Books are revisited multiple times to reinforce learning.
Impact
Our reading curriculum enables learners at Alkerden to become fluent, confident and enthusiastic readers. Through strong phonics teaching, exposure to high-quality and diverse texts, and explicit comprehension instruction, learners make sustained progress and develop the skills needed for academic success and lifelong reading.
By the time they leave us, learners:
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Read fluently and accurately, with secure phonics knowledge.
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Demonstrate strong comprehension skills across a wide range of texts.
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Use ambitious vocabulary and engage thoughtfully with language.
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Show positive attitudes towards reading and read for pleasure independently.
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Are well-prepared for the demands of the next stage of their education.
Our assessment information, learner's voice and reading behaviours show that learners grow into motivated, capable readers who value reading as both a skill and a source of enjoyment.
English Reading Across the Stages
Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS)
In EYFS and Year 1: daily phonics instruction; use of decodable books matched to learners’ phonics knowledge; reading practice sessions focusing on decoding, prosody, and basic comprehension.
Key Stage 1 (Years 1-2)
In Key Stage 1: regular reading practice sessions (e.g. several times per week), with carefully selected texts (stories, rhymes, poetry, simple non-fiction). These support the development of word reading, fluency and early comprehension. Teachers read to learners daily; learners also have opportunities to read independently or with support.
Key Stage 2 (Years 3-6)
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Learners access a broad range of texts, fiction, non-fiction, poetry, including books at varied reading levels (including high interest / lower reading age for some). This ensures accessibility while promoting challenge and growth.
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Structured whole-class reading lessons continue to build comprehension, vocabulary, inference, summarising and more advanced reading skills. Independent reading for pleasure is encouraged. Reading across the curriculum helps learners make connections and deepen their understanding.
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Regular reading assessments, monitoring and support for learners who need it; enrichment through reading events, book-themed activities, and opportunities to discuss and share reading (stories, poetry, cultural texts).
Reading Culture & Enrichment
We believe that reading should be more than a lesson, it should be a lived experience and joy. At Alkerden we will:
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Promote reading for pleasure through school libraries, reading corners, and regular reading time embedded into the day.
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Include a diverse range of literature: from traditional tales and classic stories, to contemporary fiction, non-fiction, poetry, myths, multicultural stories, reflecting our learners’ world and expanding their horizons.
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Celebrate reading through events: reading-for-pleasure days, story-sharing, poetry recitals, author or storyteller visits (or virtual equivalents), reading challenges, book clubs, and opportunities for learners to recommend books to each other.
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Encourage learners to view themselves as readers: empowering them to choose texts, explore tastes, reflect on their reading, discuss with peers, cultivating lifelong reading habits, not just academic reading.
Inclusion & Support
At Alkerden, we recognise that learners come with differing starting points. We ensure reading is accessible and inclusive:
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Learners needing extra support receive timely interventions, especially within phonics or early reading stages. Phonics programmes and reading materials are adapted as needed.