Within each step of the pathway, diagnostic tools are used to identify gaps in pupils’ understanding and teaching is adapted in order to meet the needs of these pupils.
Once pupils have completed the Read Write Inc programme, they will access an 8 week fluency programme (Herts for Learning). This has been designed to bridge the gap between phonics and reading for pleasure and focuses on a number of different teaching strategies in order to ensure success within this.
Pupils are assessed at the start and each of each teaching block, with the hope that outcomes show enough progress to transition onto whole-class reading.
Once pupils have completed their block of fluency teaching, they will access Whole-class Reading lessons. Each term, teachers will plan a sequence of lessons based on core texts, which are outlined in the reading framework. Texts and stimulus chosen have been selected to ensure pupils are being exposed to a wide range of genre and styles in order to develop their overall fluency and comprehension, ensuring that they leave our academy as ‘well-rounded’, confident readers.
Children accessing Read Write Inc. Phonics lessons take home a book that is matched to their phonics ability. Parents are asked to support their child to read this book independently using the blending and decoding skills that they have been practising at school.
Our aim at Manor Farm Academy is for every child to enjoy books; we therefore give children a Reading for Pleasure book to instill in them a passion for reading. Children will take home a Reading for Pleasure book from our classroom libraries which they will have chosen for themselves. We would not yet expect children who are accessing the Read Write Inc. Phonics lessons to read these books by themselves. For these pupils, these books are for adults at home to read to children, perhaps before bedtime or when relaxing. However once pupils have completed their Read Write Inc. Phonics journey, we would strongly encourage the children to read their Reading for Pleasure book independently.
All books will be changed regularly and monitored by staff. Parents and carers are asked to comment in the children’s Reading Record when they hear their child read. Although we understand how busy life can be, we do ask that all children aim to read aloud to an adult for at least five minutes per day. Research has continually shown us the positive impact that reading can have on all areas of your child’s learning.
