This page contains details of our English curriculum. It explains our approach to teaching reading and includes documents outlining how and when spelling and punctuation are taught throughout the school.
Our Approach to Reading
At Ashcombe Primary School we recognise that reading is a core tool for life and we aim to foster a love for reading in our children. Reading skills are taught through a phonics first approach, guided reading, whole class reading, comprehension and shared reading across our whole curriculum, weaved through all curriculum areas. We have a school library and a large proportion of our pupils participate in the North Somerset Libraries' Summer Reading Challenges each year.
Through reading, pupils are introduced to new vocabulary that can then be used in their own writing and speech. We foster our love of reading through providing a rich environment which stimulates and encourages children’s reading.
Our approach is well structured and effectively monitored.
From the Foundation Stage and into Key Stage 1 pupils will enjoy a range of
texts allowing them to build up knowledge of rhythm, rhyme and pattern in
language:
- Listening to good quality texts allows pupils to develop an ear for patterns in language, and to be able to adopt appropriate story-language for when they read themselves.
- The pupils will learn how books work and be able to differentiate between print and pictures. They will be encouraged to retell stories and to begin to say what they enjoy and why.
- They will learn to use the features of using non-fiction texts.
- Pre-reading skills will be built on. These will help pupils to match patterns, follow sequences, build up both visual and auditory memory and use picture cues to infer meaning.
Reading scheme
We have created our own reading scheme, made up of a variety of texts from various authors/ poets and publishers. These books vary in structure, where some are fully decodable and others rely on sight recognition. This allows children opportunities to explore a range of literature and written styles, enabling them to be adaptable, in preparation for the future.
Our reading scheme books are levelled using PM Benchmarking Levels. Children move through these levels until they reach Level 30, and then they become 'Free Readers' choosing books from home and/ or class libraries. We have also purchased the Bug Club online reading scheme. Children can access these online books at school and at home.
Phonic Skills
At Ashcombe Primary School the children follow a systematic approach to teaching of phonic skills. We use North Somerset's 'Phonics in to Early Spelling' programme. This is supplemented by other phonic schemes and activities. This programme teaches children to develop a knowledge of letter sounds, how to blend and segment sounds, build and decode words using a phonics first approach. It also introduces children to early spelling rules and patterns.
Pupils will also begin to recognise key High Frequency sight vocabulary. This includes words that cannot be sounded out.
In Key Stage Two there is a Phonics programme specifically for those children who need additional support in this area.
Development of Skills
Pupils are taught daily to employ a broad range of reading strategies enabling them to grow in independence.
Supporting Documents
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