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Reading

Teaching of Reading

At Swalwell, we believe that reading is the key to unlocking the curriculum and opening doors to future opportunities. We recognise that children begin their reading journey with different experiences of language, communication and books. As a result, reading, vocabulary development and communication sit at the heart of our curriculum.

Children begin their reading journey through the Little Wandle Foundations programme before progressing to the Little Wandle Core Programme in Reception and Key Stage 1. Alongside daily phonics teaching, children participate in Reading Practice Sessions using carefully matched decodable books to develop decoding, fluency, prosody and comprehension. Frequent assessment ensures that support is quickly put in place through Keep Up interventions and adapted provision where required. Pupils accessing our personalised pathway classrooms are supported through the Little Wandle SEND Programme, ensuring every child can access phonics teaching at a pace and level that meets their individual needs whilst maintaining ambition and progression.

As pupils move into Key Stage 2, the focus gradually shifts from learning to read towards reading to learn. Pupils continue to receive targeted support through Rapid Catch Up where needed, whilst whole-class Reading Explorer lessons develop comprehension, vocabulary and discussion skills through increasingly challenging texts. In Upper Key Stage 2, Reading Plus further develops reading fluency, comprehension and vocabulary. Throughout Key Stage 2, pupils continue to read regularly with adults, ensuring staff know their readers well and can provide additional support when required.

Our aim is for every child to leave Swalwell as a confident, fluent and enthusiastic reader who is fully prepared for the next stage of their education.

Support for Parents

Reading for Pleasure at Swalwell

At Swalwell, we want every child to see themselves as a reader. We believe that reading should be enjoyable, inspiring and accessible to all. Alongside our structured reading curriculum, we work hard to create a culture where books, stories and reading are celebrated every day.

Reading is woven throughout school life. At the end of each day, classrooms come together for a shared class story, providing opportunities for children to hear high-quality texts read aloud and develop a love of books. Through carefully chosen stories, pupils are introduced to new authors, different perspectives and rich vocabulary.

Our whole-school Readopoly challenge was designed alongside our pupils to promote regular reading at home and encourage lifelong reading habits. Children move around their classroom Readopoly board by completing home reads, working towards reading milestones and rewards. Pupils who complete a full circuit receive a bookmark and raffle ticket, with prize draws taking place each half term.

Reading achievements are celebrated through our Ridiculous Reader Awards, where one pupil from each class is recognised every half term for their commitment, progress or enthusiasm for reading. Winners receive a certificate and a book of their choice, helping to further foster a love of reading.

We are fortunate to have two well-stocked libraries within school. Pupils visit regularly to browse, explore and select books independently. Our team of pupil librarians plays an important role in promoting reading across school, supporting younger readers, helping to organise our annual book fair and working alongside school leaders to select new books and authors that will inspire our pupils.

Additional opportunities such as our lunchtime Reading Club and family Reading Breakfasts encourage children and families to enjoy books together and strengthen the connection between home and school reading.

Through these experiences, we aim to develop confident readers who read not only because they can, but because they want to.

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