Reading at Barnsole
At Barnsole Primary School, reading is a central priority and underpins learning across the whole curriculum. Strong reading skills enable children to access lessons confidently, develop their understanding and feel successful in their learning. We work hard to support children in becoming fluent readers who understand and enjoy what they read, while also promoting a genuine love of books. By creating language-rich environments in school and working in partnership with families, we aim to give every child the best possible foundations for success at school and beyond.
How Reading Is Taught at Barnsole
Early Reading: Reception and Year 1
In Reception and Year 1, children learn to read through our systematic, synthetic phonics programme, Little Wandle Letters and Sounds Revised. Alongside this, children read carefully matched Collins reading books, which allow them to practise the phonics they have been taught. Our aim is for children to experience early success in reading, helping them to see themselves as readers and build confidence, enjoyment and a sense of achievement.
Children take part in regular, adult-led reading sessions throughout the week. During these sessions, they are introduced to a new book and supported to decode words, develop fluency and read with expression. There is also a strong focus on understanding the text, with children discussing what is happening and developing early comprehension skills.
Developing Reading: Year 2 and Beyond
As children move beyond the need for daily phonics teaching, they transition into whole-class reading. For most pupils, this begins in Year 2. We use high-quality texts from the Steps to Read programme, chosen to develop vocabulary and deepen understanding.
Reading sessions continue to focus on fluency and prosody, while placing greater emphasis on comprehension. Children are given frequent opportunities to discuss texts, work collaboratively and share their ideas verbally and in writing.
//www.youtube.com/embed/kwpdV4yrfb8#t=0.5 In school, the children have adult-led reading sessions throughout the week. Children are introduced to their new book, they learn to decode the words and ensure that they can start to build a level of fluency when reading it. We then focus on prosody (patterns of stress and intonation) and move onto developing children's comprehension of what is happening within the text. We ask all parents to support their child's reading development by listening to them read every day at home and by showing this by writing a short comment in their reading record to say how they have got on and where they need help.
Reading Interventions and Additional Support
Some children may need extra support to develop their reading skills. We use a range of targeted reading interventions to ensure all pupils are supported to make progress.
- Keep Up phonics sessions
- Short, targeted sessions delivered quickly when a child is at risk of falling behind in phonics. These sessions revisit recent learning and help prevent gaps from developing.
- Rapid Catch Up phonics sessions
- More structured support for children who need to secure key phonics knowledge and make accelerated progress, helping them rejoin whole-class phonics teaching.
- Little Wandle SEND programme
- Adapted phonics resources and approaches used to support children who need a more tailored way of accessing phonics learning.
- Reading Plus
- A structured programme used mainly with pupils Year 4 to 6 to support reading fluency, vocabulary and comprehension.
All reading interventions are carefully monitored and adapted to ensure children receive the right support at the right time and continue to make progress as confident readers.
Reading Together At Home
We encourage families to share reading at home regularly. This might include listening to your child read, sharing a story together, talking about pictures or discussing what has been read. Even short, frequent reading sessions can make a real difference.
Children across the school take home books matched to their reading stage, alongside a book chosen for enjoyment. Parents and carers are asked to record reading in their child’s reading record, helping teachers to monitor progress and provide appropriate support.
Reading Book Bands Table 
By working together, we aim to make reading at home a positive, manageable and enjoyable experience that helps children develop a lifelong love of reading.
How We Promote Reading at Barnsole
- Children read regularly in school, with additional support provided where needed.
- We encourage daily reading at home, recorded in pupils’ reading records.
- Our Bookmark initiative motivates children to read widely, with completed bookmarks entered into a termly prize draw to visit a local bookshop.
- Reading is celebrated through displays, assemblies and whole-school events such as World Book Day.
Parents and carers are invited into school to take part in reading sessions and events.