Our aim is to grow a community of enthusiastic readers! As you enter our school, one of the first spaces you see is our well-stocked library where children are encouraged to discover and explore the range of books on offer! Classes visit the library at least once a week to encourage their own choice and allow time to read for pleasure.

The Big Cat Book bands are set at a level to challenge and excite each child within their reading, and to further deepen their comprehension, accuracy and fluency. Consequently, the new reading bands may not always equate directly to the old reading bands, so you may find that your child receives a book that looks like a lower book band or is that your child is no longer a free reader.

Phonics 

Due to the Read, Write Inc scheme and the way phonics is delivered in this programme, you may find that your child stays on the phonics books for longer and some may still be reading the Read Write Inc books within Lower Key Stage 2. This is to solidify the foundations of reading, so that the children can fully utilise the spotlights taught when reading phonetically to help them engage with their book. The intention here is to provide each child with a solid start to their reading journey, and some may need more consolidation, which we will endeavour to provide.

Reading Expectations: 

Year 1 will continue to use their reading records and will be expected to read their book bag books with the children at least 4 x week for 15 minutes. Library books can of course be enjoyed with the children, but these should be in addition.

In Key Stage 2,  we have revised the format for reading at home, as we were aware that answering and recording reading every day in their records had begun to impact the enjoyment of reading for some pupils, so we do hope this new format keeps things fresh and exciting.