Reading
At Walworth School, we recognise that reading is a key life skill, and are dedicated to encouraging and enabling our pupils to become confident and proficient readers. We believe that reading is the cornerstone for the whole curriculum and mastering this skill is key to success. We provide well-structured resources and programmes to support children’s development of reading, which focuses on mastering phonological awareness, word decoding, sight reading and comprehension. Every class has access to the whole-school reading scheme, a class-based library and the school library.
Individual Reading
At Walworth School we aim to hear every child read individually every day.
Children are assessed and assigned books from the Rapid Reading Scheme to support the development of their individual reading skills. Children progress through the levels until they become competent and independent readers. Independent readers, who are no longer accessing books from the scheme, can then choose from a wide variety of books within school (free readers), and continue to be heard reading on a regular basis. Staff, who hear children read, use a range of effective questions to support the child to develop comprehension skills.
Shared Reading
Shared reading takes place within English lessons. The teacher models the key reading skills to the whole class. Children have the opportunity to support each other when reading and are encouraged to read in front of their peers.
Reading for pleasure
We value reading for pleasure and enjoyment and therefore allow sufficient time during the school day for this. In KS2, pupils also engage with an age-appropriate class novel, which is read by a Teacher or support member of staff. In KS1, pupils engage with short stories on a regular basis as part of a ‘story time’ session.
Phonics Intervention
Phonics is taught through the Rapid Phonics Intervention Program. This resource is proven to be highly successful for all learners, including those with potential barriers to learning such as dyslexia and having English as an alternative language.
Rapid Phonics Snappy Lessons are designed to make phonics catch-up sessions quick, memorable and fun. They are interactive through use of games and actions that help children remember reading and spelling strategies, which they apply in all areas of the curriculum.
Phonics Intervention sessions are supported by 56 levelled texts, which cover a range of fiction and non-fiction. The books are designed to consolidate decoding skills taught in phonics sessions and also help develop comprehension.
Additional Reading and Spelling Intervention.
Whilst the majority of children will master decoding by using a synthetic phonics program, we acknowledge that some children require further support in addition to this program. Children who continue to struggle with reading, are given regular access Nessy, an online Dyslexia friendly reading and spelling intervention program.
