Reading

Wansdyke approach to Reading Instruction:

At Wansdyke School, once children have mastered phonics, they embark on a rich and structured reading journey designed to promote confident, fluent, and thoughtful readers. Our approach is deeply informed by the research of Christopher Such and Doug Lemov, whose work on fluency, vocabulary development, and primary reading has shaped our practice. We believe that reading is both a gateway to academic success as well as means to develop personal and moral fibre.

Intent:

Our intent is clear: we aim to nurture “Readers for Life.” This means equipping pupils with the skills to decode and comprehend texts, while also fostering a genuine love of reading. We create a language-rich environment where children are immersed in high-quality literature and exposed to a wide range of vocabulary. This foundation enables them to access meaning, articulate ideas, and connect with texts on a deeper level. Vocabulary building and background knowledge are central to our strategy, as we recognise that these elements are essential for comprehension and critical engagement with texts.

Implementation:

Reading is taught daily through our bespoke ‘Book Club’ sessions, which are the heart of our implementation strategy. Each session lasts 30 minutes and is carefully structured around three lesson types: Extended Read, Fluency Read, and Close Read.

• Extended Reads allow pupils to explore texts in depth, developing their analytical and inferential skills.
• Fluency Reads focus on building automaticity, expression, and pace, using techniques such as echo reading and repeated reading.
• Close Reads encourage pupils to examine language, structure, and authorial intent with precision. These sessions are designed to be interactive, with a balance of teacher-led and pupil-led reading, oral and written responses, and carefully crafted questions that promote deeper thinking.

Poetry and non-fiction are integral to our reading curriculum. Pupils engage with a wide variety of genres, ensuring they experience these important aspects of written texts. Our reading spine includes texts that reflect different cultures, backgrounds, and perspectives, helping children build cultural capital and empathy. Through our engaging reading lessons, we encourage children to develop reading for pleasure and to see themselves as readers in the school.

Reading for Pleasure:

At our school, we believe that reading for pleasure is at the heart of becoming a confident, curious and independent learner. One of the most important aims of our reading curriculum is to nurture children who choose to pick up a book—children who read not because they have to, but because they genuinely want to. We want every child to experience the joy, comfort and excitement that reading can bring.

To achieve this, we have carefully designed a curriculum that places high‑quality literature and meaningful reading experiences at its core. Across the school, we work intentionally to build a culture where reading is celebrated, shared and loved.

How We Foster a Love of Reading

• A well‑structured reading spine ensures every child encounters a rich variety of texts—classic stories, modern favourites, diverse voices and thought‑provoking non‑fiction.
• Class novels are read aloud by teachers, creating shared reading experiences that spark imagination, discussion and anticipation.
• Inviting book corners in every classroom offer a wide range of texts that children can explore freely.
• Rich topic books are woven into each unit of learning, helping children make connections between reading and the wider curriculum.
• Regular library visits give children the chance to browse, discover new authors and develop independence in choosing books. The school library is well-stocked and inviting for children to choose their books.
• Special reading events such as author visits, book fairs, themed days and reading challenges help keep reading exciting and visible.
• Strong home–school partnerships support reading beyond the classroom, with families encouraged to enjoy books together and celebrate reading at home.

Through these approaches, we aim to create lifelong readers—children who see reading as a source of pleasure, knowledge and inspiration. Our commitment is to ensure that every child leaves our school with a deep and lasting love of books.

Impact:

The impact of our reading curriculum is measured through both formative and summative assessments. Teachers observe pupils’ verbal and written responses during Book Club, monitor progress through reading records, and use tools such as NFER tests and statutory assessments to track achievement. Pupils are also invited to discuss the books they’ve read, allowing teachers to gauge engagement and understanding.

Our reading provision is designed to inspire, empower, and support every learner. By prioritising vocabulary, background knowledge, and fluency, we ensure that all children, regardless of starting point, an access the joy and power that reading brings.