We provide a language-rich environment and a wide range of high-quality books to help children develop strong reading skills. Reading is encouraged across all subjects, helping children build knowledge, curiosity and a better understanding of the world around them.
Our aim is for every child to leave Year 6 as a fluent, confident reader with a genuine love of books. We know that children become successful readers when they:
Reading also supports children’s writing. Through books, children develop their imagination, expand their vocabulary and become more effective communicators. By the end of Year 6, we want our pupils to confidently discuss books, recommend favourites to others and be excited to explore new authors and genres.
We use the Little Wandle Letters and Sounds Revised programme to teach reading in Reception and Key Stage 1.
Children take part in reading practice sessions three times each week. These sessions:
Each session focuses on one of three key reading skills:
These sessions begin in Reception and continue for any older children who need extra support with phonics and early reading skills.
Once children have completed the Little Wandle programme, they continue to develop their reading through dedicated reading lessons.
These lessons help children to:
Teachers model good reading, and children have regular opportunities to practise and re-read texts to build confidence.
In Key Stage 2, children explore a range of high-quality texts, including extracts, novels and non-fiction books.
They develop important reading skills such as:
These skills help children become thoughtful and independent readers.
We use Accelerated Reader to help children choose books that are suited to their reading ability.
Children complete assessments to identify their reading level and can then select from a wide range of Accelerated Reader books available in classrooms. This helps ensure they experience success and make continued progress.
Some children may need extra support with reading and literacy. We use Lexia which identifies gaps in learning and provides personalised activities to help children improve their skills.
Children celebrate their achievements with certificates as they progress through the programme.
We are committed to ensuring that every child becomes a successful reader. Children who may be at risk of falling behind are identified as Priority Readers and receive additional support.
This support may include:
By providing timely support, we help all children make progress and develop confidence as readers.
At Sir Edmund Hillary Academy, we recognise that writing is a fundamental life skill and a key driver of our curriculum. We aim to develop confident, creative and effective writers who can communicate clearly for a range of purposes and audiences. Through high-quality texts, rich vocabulary and meaningful writing opportunities, children learn to write across a variety of fiction and non-fiction genres while developing their spelling, grammar, punctuation and handwriting skills.
Our writing curriculum follows a clear sequence of immersion, skills and writing, enabling pupils to explore texts, learn and practise key writing techniques, and then apply them independently. Through regular opportunities to revise, edit and share their work, children develop pride in their writing and the confidence to express their ideas. We strive to ensure that every child leaves our school as a fluent, enthusiastic writer who is well prepared for the next stage of their education and life beyond school.
