Phonics/Reading
Intent
At Park Primary School, we are committed to fostering a lifelong love of reading in every child. From the very beginning of their learning journey, we immerse pupils in a rich variety of high-quality texts that inspire curiosity, imagination and a passion for stories. We aim for all children to develop fluency, accuracy and expression in their reading, alongside strong comprehension skills that enable them to understand, interpret and enjoy a wide range of literature. Through carefully chosen books, we seek to broaden pupils’ vocabulary, deepen their cultural awareness and encourage them to explore perspectives beyond their own. By the time they leave Park Primary School at the end of Year 6, our pupils will be confident, independent readers who can read for pleasure, research and learning.
Implementation
In the Early Years Foundation Stage and Key Stage 1, reading is taught through daily, systematic phonics sessions using a structured programme that ensures children build secure decoding skills. Alongside phonics, pupils take part in shared and guided reading sessions that develop both fluency and comprehension. Storytime is a valued part of each day, where teachers model expressive reading and introduce children to a wide range of engaging texts.
As pupils move into Key Stage 2, the focus shifts towards whole-class reading sessions that develop higher-order comprehension skills, vocabulary knowledge and reading stamina. Children are exposed to a broad range of genres, authors and text types, including poetry, non-fiction and classic literature, ensuring they experience both challenge and enjoyment. Targeted interventions are provided for those who need additional support, ensuring that no child is left behind. Across all year groups, reading is embedded into the wider curriculum, with opportunities to read for purpose and pleasure in every subject. Our classrooms and library are stocked with diverse, age-appropriate books, and we enrich our reading culture through author visits, reading challenges and book-themed events.
Impact
The impact of our approach to reading at Park Primary School is seen in the confidence, fluency and understanding with which our pupils read. Children develop a rich and varied vocabulary and are able to discuss and analyse texts thoughtfully, making connections between what they read and the wider world. Attainment and progress in reading are consistently in line with or above national expectations, and pupils leave us with the skills and enthusiasm to continue reading widely and deeply in secondary school and beyond. Most importantly, our children develop positive reading habits, choosing to read for pleasure both in and out of school, and carrying with them a love of books that will last a lifetime.
Progression and Skills Reading