Reading
Reading
Reading is at the heart of learning at St Cuthbert Mayne. We want every child not only to learn to read successfully, but to develop a genuine enjoyment of books and reading that stays with them throughout their lives.
Intent
Our aim is for every child to become a confident, fluent and enthusiastic reader.
We recognise that successful reading brings together a range of skills. Children need to be able to decode accurately, read with increasing fluency, understand what they have read and develop the vocabulary and knowledge needed to engage with increasingly challenging texts.
We expose children to a broad range of high-quality literature, including fiction, non-fiction and poetry. Through reading, children encounter new vocabulary, ideas, cultures, experiences and perspectives, helping them to develop academically, socially and emotionally.
Reading also supports learning across the whole curriculum. We want children to develop the confidence to think deeply about what they read, discuss their ideas and use reading to build their knowledge and understanding of the world.
Implementation
Children's reading journey begins with the systematic teaching of early reading and phonics through Read Write Inc. Phonics. As children become increasingly secure and fluent readers, they develop their comprehension, vocabulary and reading fluency through the Master Readers programme.
Further information about both approaches can be found within our Phonics and Master Readers pages.
Alongside the explicit teaching of reading, children are given regular opportunities to read independently and develop their own reading preferences.
We use Accelerated Reader to support children in selecting books that provide an appropriate level of challenge. Children have access to a wide range of authors, genres and styles of writing, encouraging them to broaden their reading choices and become increasingly independent readers.
Teachers regularly monitor children's reading and use assessment to identify where further support or challenge may be needed.
Reading for Pleasure
Developing a love of reading is an important part of life at St Cuthbert Mayne.
Children have regular opportunities to listen to high-quality books being read aloud, enjoy independent reading and talk to others about books they have enjoyed. Class stories allow children to experience rich language and texts beyond those they may yet be able to read independently.
Our school library and classroom reading areas give children access to a broad and varied range of books. We encourage children to explore different authors and genres, recommend books to one another and develop their own identities as readers.
Reading is celebrated throughout the school year through a range of activities and events, including World Book Day, author experiences and other opportunities to celebrate books and reading together.
We also value the important role families play in developing children's reading habits and encourage regular reading and discussion about books at home.
Impact
By the time children leave St Cuthbert Mayne, we aim for them to be confident, fluent and independent readers who can understand and respond thoughtfully to a wide range of texts.
Children develop the vocabulary, knowledge and comprehension skills they need to access the wider curriculum successfully. They can discuss what they have read, explain and justify their ideas and think critically about texts.
Most importantly, we want children to leave St Cuthbert Mayne seeing themselves as readers, able to choose books independently and with a love of reading that continues into secondary school and beyond.
Accelerated Reader
At St Cuthbert Mayne, we use Accelerated Reader (AR) to support children in developing confidence, independence and enjoyment in reading.
Accelerated Reader helps children to choose books that are appropriately challenging for them. Children complete a STAR Reading assessment, which helps teachers identify a suitable reading range known as their Zone of Proximal Development (ZPD). This gives children guidance when choosing books, while still allowing them to select texts that interest and excite them.
A child’s ZPD represents a range of books that should provide an appropriate level of challenge without causing frustration. Teachers regularly review children’s reading progress and can adjust this range where needed.
Once children have finished an Accelerated Reader book, they complete a short online quiz to check their understanding of what they have read. These quizzes help children reflect on their reading and allow teachers to monitor comprehension, engagement and progress over time.
Accelerated Reader does not replace the teaching of reading. Instead, it complements our reading curriculum by providing children with regular opportunities to practise their skills independently, experience success and develop positive reading habits.
Most importantly, we want children to see themselves as readers: choosing books they enjoy, talking about what they have read and developing a lifelong love of reading.
Accelerated Reader Guide for Parents