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English - Reading

Reading Intent: Our Aims and Approach

"Reading is a gateway into unfamiliar places, other people and alternative experiences." — Mary Myatt

At Manuden Primary School, we are proud to be a reading school where we value and nurture every aspect of reading. We recognise reading as an essential life skill that supports children’s development across all areas of the curriculum. We also understand that reading for pleasure promotes wellbeing and relaxation.

The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) Framework emphasises the importance of developing a life-long love of reading. Similarly, the National Curriculum for Key Stages 1 and 2 identifies two key dimensions of reading:

  • Word reading

  • Comprehension (both listening and reading)

Fluency acts as the crucial bridge between these two areas.

Our teaching focuses on developing pupils’ skills in both word reading and comprehension, while also building fluency.

Our Aims for Pupils

We want our children to:

  • Develop a love of reading and a desire to read for enjoyment

  • Read with confidence, fluency, and understanding

  • Understand a wide range of text types, media formats, and genres

  • Use an appropriate technical vocabulary to express their ideas respectfully in discussion

We foster positive attitudes to reading through carefully planned teaching activities and welcoming classroom environments.

Our Reading Environment

We are proud of our purpose-built library located in the heart of the school, thoughtfully designed to be a warm and welcoming space for all our pupils. The library’s design incorporates bright, colourful shapes and patterns inspired by nature, creating an inviting atmosphere that encourages curiosity and a love of reading.

This vibrant environment not only reflects the natural world but also supports a calm and comfortable space where children feel inspired to explore books and share stories. Our library is a hub for learning, imagination, and community, carefully crafted to make every child feel that reading is both valued and enjoyable.

Reading for Pleasure

Reading initiatives are a vital part of our culture, including:

  • Themed reading days

  • Pupil librarians

  • Participation in the local library’s summer reading challenge

  • Celebrations such as World Book Day

How We Plan Reading

Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS)
Our planning follows the Development Matters guidance, with daily opportunities for children to engage with books, songs, poems, and rhymes. Non-fiction texts linked to current topics or children’s interests support vocabulary and knowledge development.

Key Stage 1 and 2
We follow the Herts For Learning (HFL) English scheme, providing a structured sequence of lessons leading to quality writing outcomes and regular exploration of diverse genres including fiction, non-fiction, and poetry.

How We Teach Reading

Early Years and Key Stage 1
Early reading is central to our curriculum. We deliver daily phonics sessions using the Little Wandle Letters and Sounds programme, starting with auditory and listening activities in Nursery (Phase 1) and progressing through Phases 2 to 5.

Children learn to “sound talk” by segmenting and blending phonemes to build words, and are introduced to tricky words that don’t follow regular phonics rules. These are displayed in classrooms to support independent learning.

Reception and Year 1 pupils take part in reading practice sessions three times a week in small groups, led by trained adults using decodable books matched to their phonics knowledge.

In Years 2 and 3, reading practice continues for children who need it, using decodable books from Little Wandle and Big Cat Phonics schemes.

Key Stage 2
Children continue to explore quality reading materials through the HFL Essential Writing scheme and through wider curriculum texts.

Additional reading opportunities include:

  • Whole-class reading sessions and story times to model fluent reading and expose children to rich vocabulary

  • Buddy reading sessions pairing younger and older pupils

  • Regular use of our dedicated library spaces for group and independent reading

  • Class reading areas with a variety of books accessible during child-initiated learning, both indoors and outdoors

  • Visits from local librarians to promote community reading resources

  • Shared reading activities where teachers model fluent, expressive reading, including ‘echo’ reading techniques

  • Whole-class reading comprehension to deepen understanding and discussion

  • Independent reading where children select books at the right level, supported by a colour-coded system and guidance from adults

Reading at Home

We encourage reading at home as a shared, enjoyable experience between children and their parents or carers.

  • In Reception and Key Stage 1, children bring home two books weekly: one decodable book matching their phonics knowledge (aiming for 90% fluency), and one for shared reading with an adult.

  • In Key Stage 2, children bring home books from the school or class library.

  • All children have a Reading Record book to support communication between home and school about reading progress.

Reading Impact

Reading is a strength at Manuden Primary School. Our children enjoy reading and achieve high standards. Staff are confident in teaching reading, skilfully questioning and encouraging children’s thinking.

Children encounter a wide variety of reading materials and genres. Younger pupils use their phonics knowledge to decode text, while older pupils confidently use dictionaries and thesauruses to deepen their vocabulary and understanding.

Measuring Progress

We assess reading attainment and progress at least termly using both formative and summative methods, responding swiftly to support all learners’ development.