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Gretton Primary School

Love of Reading

Reading for pleasure is an entitlement of every child as we recognise that having the opportunity to read regularly and widely enhances their life chances, helping them to thrive whatever their background.

We promote a genuine love of reading by carefully selecting books to ensure that children have the opportunity to inhabit the lives of those who are similar to them as well as learning about the lives of those whose experiences and perspectives differ from their own.

We make a commitment that every child will hear an adult read at least once a day as we recognise that children’s enjoyment of literature is intrinsically linked to the passion of the adults working with them who must actively show that they love the books they are sharing. On a Friday the whole school has dedicated extended class story time where the children immerse themselves into listening to their class text.

As a school we are constantly broadening adults’ knowledge of children’s literature ranging from the classics to more modern books.

Our school library is positioned in the heart of the school so it is accessible to all. Children have weekly dedicated library time and are supported in choosing books to take home. The space is open after school and at lunchtime as a space to enjoy reading. Our KS2 librarians are trained to organise the books and promote reading.

 

 

Our reading curriculum is enriched by regular author visits, whole school events such as world Book Day, BIG reads, DEAR (drop everything and read) and sponsored reads. We also have a school reading dog, Walter who loves to listen to children read and sets individual reading challenges. 

 

 

We are also lucky enough to have committed reading volunteers who hear vulnerable readers on a one to one basis. They encourage and support children with their reading in a safe, nurturing environment.

At Gretton we also have a reading mentor who ensures every child has the opportunity to visit the library weekly, listens to individuals read and holds daily lunchtime reading clubs.

There is a book club for KS2 and stories read aloud for KS1.

Book Corners

Our book corners are at the heart of our classrooms, each one a mini-library of curated, well-chosen books which capture children’s imagination. The children have ownership of the mini libraries and are responsible for them. The children’s favourite books are available for them to access even when they change year groups. Book corners contain books that the teacher has read to the children so they can both read and enjoy them in the classroom and borrow to read and share at home.

Reading at home

In EYFS and KS1 every child will take home a levelled book linked to the sound they are learning in phonics so they can practice the phonics they have learnt in school. In addition to this they also take home a levelled reading book so they exposed to a wide range of genres. This book will require parental support but allows opportunity for book talk and exposure to higher level vocabulary. In KS2 children take home a banded reading book and all children take home a reading for pleasure book that they can choose from library.

Children are expected to read at home five times per week and record this reading in their learning logs. This is checked daily so that support can be put in place where needed. Children’s reading at home is celebrated in class, whole school assemblies and children who read at home 5 times, gain an extra 5 minutes play time on a Monday.

Reception parents are invited into school during the first term to learn about how reading is taught in school and how they can support their child at home. They are given support materials at this event. In year 1, parents are invited into school to find out about the Phonics screening check. During this event the key messages for how to support children reading at home are shared and support is offered where necessary. This is also repeated during Year 2 and Year 6 SATS meetings.

Letters are sent out throughout the year about support reading and reading is regularly mentioned in the school’s newsletter.

Core Values

  • Kindness

    We are kind

  • Good Choices

    We make good choices

  • Best

    We try our best

  • Dream Big

    We dream big