Reading
At Chelford CE Primary School we are passionate about reading! We recognise that reading is a life skill that opens a world of opportunities for children as they grow older. A key part of our work in teaching reading to our pupils is the belief that reading is an enjoyable and pleasurable activity. Through reading, our pupils get to travel the seven seas, meet wonderfully interesting and exciting characters, learn facts about a range of interests and hobbies and immerse themselves in a completely new world - all without stepping foot outside the classroom!
As part of our practice, we promote daily reading with our pupils and share our enthusiasm for reading by ensuring that all children are read to on a regular basis. In doing so, staff are able to model reading fluency, demonstrating shifts in intonation and creating voices to add characterisation to the texts they share, which consequently increases pupils’ enjoyment of texts.
We recognise that great writers are born through great readers; it is how our pupils can acquire new and exciting vocabulary; adopt some of the techniques deployed by their favourite authors and combine a range of skills to give their work an appropriate ‘voice’ - one which shifts to the needs of the audience and purpose.
At Chelford CE Primary School we are keen to celebrate the diversity and inclusivity of reading and pupils have access to the works of authors across the gender, ethnicity and religious spectrum. In doing so, these poets and writers become inspirations for our pupils, empowering them to write with creativity, flair and purpose.
The School outlines its approach to the teaching and learning of reading in the document below. In developing this approach, leaders reflected on research published by the Education Endowment Foundation which provided an insight into some of the effective models of teaching reading in the primary phase.
Intent, Implementation and Impact Statement
Accelerated Reader
Once pupils at Chelford CE Primary School have developed a secure phonological knowledge and understanding (via our Little Wandle Letters and Sounds synthetic phonics programme) they access our Accelerated Reader programme. This provision aims to ensure that pupils are accessing appropriately-pitched reading materials and provides the stimulus to motivate and encourage them to develop their love of reading. The programme also provides opportunities for staff and parents to celebrate children’s reading journey and enables them to enjoy the rewards that their endeavours deserve.
Click here to find the ATOS value of a reading book using the AR book finder tool
STAR assessments
As part of our Accelerated Reader provision, regular STAR assessments enable teachers to carefully monitor pupils’ reading progress and where necessary, target those who require additional support with aspects of reading. Assessments are user-responsive, thus providing an acquire and clear indication of the child’s reading capabilities and identifying areas for further development.
As stated in our intent, implementation and impact statement, our ultimate goal is for all our pupils to develop a love of literature and to acquire the skills that will enable them to access a full and wide curriculum, both during and beyond their time at Chelford CE Primary School.
Accelerated Reader - Parents' Guide
Notes from Accelerated Reader parents' information session 19.9.23
accelerated reader presentation.pdf