Intent:

As a result of our reading progression our children are exposed to high-quality texts with rich and varied language which will enhance their vocabulary across the curriculum. They will develop skills to work out meaning of new words and gain the knowledge to apply these words in new contexts. As a result of our reading progression our children will read a variety of different texts and genres highlighting many moral and social issues. It will allow them to develop their empathetic nature through exploring character’s feelings and motives.

At our school, reading is at the heart of every child’s learning journey. Each class is assigned an age-appropriate book carefully selected to meet the needs of most students. These texts are rich in vocabulary and span a diverse range of authors, offering pupils exposure to varied voices, styles, and perspectives.  

Structured Reading Comprehension Lessons

Our Reading Comprehension lessons are designed to build confident, thoughtful readers. Every session follows a consistent five-part structure:

  1. Vocabulary – We begin by exploring key words from the text, helping pupils deepen their understanding and apply new vocabulary in context.
  2. Fluency – Pupils practice reading aloud with expression and accuracy, developing pace and confidence.
  3. Retrieval – Students learn to locate and recall information from the text, strengthening their memory and attention to detail.
  4. Comprehension Monitoring – We encourage pupils to reflect on their understanding as they read, identifying moments of confusion and clarifying meaning.
  5. Questions – Lessons conclude with verbal responses to comprehension questions, promoting discussion and critical thinking.

This approach ensures that children are not only decoding words but also engaging meaningfully with the text.

Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS)

In EYFS, we lay the groundwork for lifelong reading. Word reading is taught through the Little Wandle phonics programme, ensuring a strong foundation in phonics. Comprehension is nurtured through fluency practice, book talk, key group sessions, and 1:1 reading, creating rich opportunities for language development and personal connection with stories.

Implementation:

How we teach Reading at TPA

Other Useful Documents:

Reading Spine

Examples of Questions