Reading
The teaching of the National Curriculum for English at Central Park Primary consists of the following:
Phonics: We use a synthetic phonics programme called RWI to help children learn to read and spell.
Phonics is one method of teaching children how to read and write using sounds. There are 44 sounds
in the English Language, which we put together to form words. A phonics lesson begins with revising
any sounds the children have already been taught. Then the teacher will introduce a new sound and
its spelling. Children then have an opportunity to practice the skill and apply it. We run parent
workshops to support parents in helping their children at home. The school is very well resourced
with phonic games and equipment and ICT is utilized where appropriate. Children’s phonics progress
is assessed regularly and children who need support are offered individual or group tutoring. Phonics
will be taught as a strategy to support reading across KS2, where needed, and a personalised
programme will be created.
Guided Comprehension
After children finish the programme of RWI, we immediately turn our attention to children’s comprehension skills. Guided Comprehension starts in Year 2 specifically focusing on how to understand a text. We follow a curriculum that ensures our children have access to a wide breadth of texts. Teachers listen to children read during guided comprehension and engage with them in rich meaningful dialogue. Children learn how to question a text in order to understand it. They also learn strategies to clarify words and phrases that they are unfamiliar with. They also learn how to use their inference, predicting and summarising skills to complete the week. Guided Comprehension is done everyday in order to make our children passionate and life-long readers.
At Central Park Primary School, we really try to push the love of reading at home too. We allow children to take books home to enjoy with their family. In KS1, they take three books home (reading for pleasure and two phonics books). In KS2, they take two books home (reading for pleasure and a banded book). To further promote reading, we subscribe to Bug Club.
Parents are encouraged to look at the website, and to speak to teachers if they require any more information.