Reading

Reading is at the heart of all we do at Thurgoland School because it opens the door to learning. Everything else depends on it, so we put as much energy as we possibly can into making sure that every single child learns to read as quickly as possible. A child who reads a lot will become a good reader. A good reader will be able to read more challenging material. A child who reads challenging material will learn. The more a child learns, the more they will want to find out. We want your child to love to listen to stories, love reading and want to read themselves. This is why we work hard throughout school from Class R to Class 6, to make sure our children develop a love of books as well as simply learning to read.

Intent

At Thurgoland School, it is our intention, when teaching reading, that all our pupils acquire the necessary knowledge, skills and understanding to become lifelong learners and linguists but more importantly, they develop a love of reading and a thirst for knowledge through books. By providing a well-rounded learning experience that inspires and engages the pupils, children are equipped with the essential tools to achieve at primary school and beyond. We recognise the importance of nurturing a culture where children love to read and share their thoughts about what they have read. Dedicated and highly-skilled teachers model a passion for reading and immerse children in a variety of exciting texts to take them on a journey and fuel their imagination. Reading is at the heart of our school and we meet the needs of all children regardless of their ability or background, always setting high expectations, celebrating their strengths and supporting them to improve. 

What can parents/carers do to help?

Every child is provided with a reading book which they will be able to decode using their current level of phonic knowledge. We encourage this to read and re-read at home to develop their reading fluency. Fluency is vital. Below is a link to a video clip which shows the programme in action and explains everything, including ‘Fred talk’!

http://www.oup.com/oxed/primary/rwi/aboutrwi/video/

We ask that the children regularly share their reading books with a grown up at home. Our expectation is four times per week at least. This regular practise is invaluable and enables children to progress more quickly and confidently. Each child has a reading diary where parents, teachers and children can make comments on their reading.

Make reading fun! Remember to keep reading to your child. They will then come across far more adventurous words than in their own first reading books and you will be helping them to grow a vast vocabulary and develop a deeper understanding of different stories. Most of all, it will encourage them to love books and want to read more. If a child sees and hears an adult reading, they are inspired by them!

At Thurgoland, we promote and celebrate reading

At Thurgoland, we promote and celebrate reading for the whole school through a number of exciting activities including World Book Day (where children dress up as book characters and share their favourite books), visiting authors and book fairs.

All children are encouraged to read at home from Early Years up to Year 6. Although your child will bring home appropriate books from school, children are encouraged to read any of their favourite texts from home or share books with their parents. These can include comics, magazines, newspapers or websites. 

We know how important reading is, and really value the enjoyment reading brings.  Learning to read opens doors for children and offers them opportunities to learn more and know more. They truly can read to learn!  As well as a vital life skill, reading can broaden all our horizons and bring endless pleasure; that is why reading is at the heart of Thurgoland Primary School. 

If you have any further queries about how we teach reading, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with your child’s class teacher.

Values that are at the heart of Thurgoland

#LEARNINGTOGETHERINFAITHANDJOY

Getting here

Thurgoland C of E Primary School
Halifax Road
Thurgoland
Sheffield
S35 7AL

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