Reading

It’s not the number of books you’ve got that matters, it’s how much you love them that counts.

At St John's Primary School, reading is at the very heart of the curriculum and we are passionate about reading. We believe in the importance of developing children’s phonics skills as early readers, moving onto comprehension skills when children are ready. We understand the importance to develop children’s love of books and reading. For more information on our phonics programme, see the “phonics” section on this website.

Our School Leadership Prioritises Reading

We prioritise reading at Penistone St John's. We are committed to a 'whatever it takes' approach to reading, so that every child in our care will become an accurate decoder and a fluent reader.  The headteacher meets regularly with the Early Reading Lead to discuss priorities in training, analyse data and look at ways forward. She often visits phonics lessons to check consistency across school. The headteacher gives the reading leaders and staff the time and opportunity for training. We use the Read Write Inc. Phonic programme and all staff are trained in using this programme and monitored by the Reading Leader regularly. 

• Information for parents, relating to the programme, can be found by accessing the following link: http://www.ruthmiskin.com/en/parents/

Love of Reading is Promoted

We are a reading school! The love of reading is promoted widely across school. Our drive to make every child a reader, starts with talking and vocabulary. We are a 'talk a lot' setting and drive a rich vocabulary from an early age. Children experience the talk through story every day at St John's. Staff are passionate about reading which inspires children.  Reading corners have been developed in each classroom to promote a love of reading. 

Each year group has a set of favourite class novels.  These are carefully chosen books that year group teachers believe every child must hear before they leave that year group. These books are used to promote a love for reading, enhance cultural capital and inspire the pupils’ writing.

Copies of these texts can be found in class reading corners where children can re-enact the stories or borrow them to re-read.

VISIT OUR PARENT PARTNERSHIP SECTION FOR FURTHER SUPPORT AND IDEAS FOR READING WITH CHILDREN

Research shows that reading for pleasure has a positive impact on children’s attainment in reading assessments. Children who read for pleasure have enhanced levels of text comprehension, an increased knowledge of grammar and show improvement in their writing. They also have more positive attitudes towards reading than peers. The advantages of reading for pleasure go beyond academic achievement:

‘Other benefits include an increased breadth of vocabulary, pleasure in reading in later life, a better understanding of other cultures, better general knowledge and even ‘a greater insight into human nature’.

Reading for Pleasure: A research overview, National Literacy Trust, 2006

At St John's Primary School, we promote reading for pleasure. We do this in the following ways:

• Every teacher is an advocate for reading and often recommend their own favourite books to children.
• Year 2 and 5 reading ambassadors promote the love of reading.
• Reading and books are at the centre of the curriculum.
• Every term, each class studies at least one book as part of their English Lessons. This is an age-appropriate text that is rich in vocabulary and content.
• We plan time in for all children to read independently, read aloud and be read to during the school day.
• We arrange visits (in person or virtually) from authors and poets.
• We have a group of reading volunteers who come in and hear our children read regularly.
• We celebrate World Book Day every year with new exciting themes each year.
• We invite parents into school for a 'Stay and Read' session twice a year. 
• Class teachers read a ‘core text’ to their children daily. This gives children the opportunity to listen to new vocabulary and get lost in stories.
• We have trained our teachers in how to read a story to promote engagement and excitement. We film and peer review ourselves as part of our professional development.  
• We hold a book fair to promote the love of reading where children and parents can interact and purchase books.
• We have “First Chapter Fridays” in our story time at KS2 where the teachers read the first chapter of a book from their class library.