Reading at Ainslie Wood
Our Vision for Reading at Ainslie Wood
At Ainslie Wood, we believe that Reading is at the centre of all learning. We strive for every child to be immersed in the joy and power of becoming a lifelong reader, be ready for the real world and foster a love for literature. We endeavour to provide outstanding, inspiring and exciting reading opportunities and experiences at every stage. It is our mission to bring Reading to life and give it a true purpose. To transform lives and change outcomes for children and communities.
Phonics
At Ainslie Wood Primary School, we prioritise a comprehensive phonics approach that begins in Nursery, where children's pre-phonics skills are nurtured through engaging auditory activities. Our curriculum emphasises the development of active listening, enabling children to perceive, discriminate, mimic, and name sounds they encounter in their environment. In Reception to Year 2, once children have mastered basic skills, they are systematically taught phonics using the Letters and Sounds programme, supplemented by resources from Phonics Play. This structured approach ensures that all learners receive high-quality phonics lessons.
Teaching of Reading
The Centre for Literacy in Primary Education has put together a great list of children's books that teachers use to introduce pupils to engaging and high-quality stories. These books are shared with students during English lessons, reading sessions, and story time as a class.
The teaching of reading is delivered through one-to-one reading in EYFS. When children move to KS1 they have guided Reading through carousel activities. In KS2 children engage in whole class reading to develop their reading and comprehension skills. Children’s progress is monitored closely, and interventions and extensions are put in place as appropriate.
Reading at home
Reading at home with your children offers numerous benefits that can significantly enhance their development. Engaging in shared reading will foster a love for literature while enhancing language skills, vocabulary, and comprehension. By discussing stories and characters, parents can also help children understand and navigate their own feelings and those of others. By making reading a regular part of your home routine you can help create a lifelong passion for learning and personal growth.
Book Worm of the Half Term
The children are very excited about our half-termly prize for being a Book Worm of the Half Term. Each half term, every class teacher selects one pupil from their class who has shown excellent engagement and enthusiasm for reading at home and in school. The winning pupils choose a new book as their prize, and they are celebrated on the Book Worm display in the school library.
Reading buddies
Our Reading Buddy programme has been a huge success with each class being paired with another class. The older children have been trained as reading buddies and are fantastic at listening to and supporting their younger peers once a week.
World Book Day
World Book Day is important for us at AWP; we love the opportunity to express our love for reading. Children and staff enjoy dressing up as an adjective or book character and enjoy engaging in a range of activities that celebrate books.
