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Reading at Westbury Infant School

At Westbury Infant School, we want every child to become an accurate, fluent and thoughtful reader who enjoys books and chooses to read. Reading gives children access to the whole curriculum, develops their language and knowledge, and helps them understand the world and the experiences of others.

Children learn that reading is both a source of pleasure and an important tool for learning. Our curriculum develops word reading and language comprehension together. Children learn how to read printed words while also developing the vocabulary, background knowledge and understanding needed to make sense of increasingly rich texts.

Every child is entitled to experience ambitious, high-quality literature from the beginning of their reading journey. Alongside books they can read independently, children enjoy stories, poems and information texts read aloud by adults. These rich texts develop vocabulary and knowledge while introducing children to a wide range of authors, cultures, experiences and perspectives.

How reading develops

In Reception, songs, rhymes, stories and conversations develop children’s listening, vocabulary, story language and enjoyment of books. Children learn to join repeated phrases, retell familiar events, talk about characters and predict what might happen next.

In Year 1, children develop increasingly accurate word reading and begin to read with greater fluency. They retrieve information, sequence events, explain vocabulary, make simple inferences and give reasons for their ideas.

By Year 2, children read with increasing independence, pace, phrasing and expression. They use evidence when answering questions, summarise important information, compare characters and texts, explain their interpretations and recommend books to others.

Children’s reading development includes:

  • accuracy and automatic word recognition;
  • fluency, phrasing and expression;
  • vocabulary and background knowledge;
  • retrieval and sequencing;
  • prediction and inference;
  • comparison and explanation;
  • discussion and response;
  • stamina, independence and enjoyment.

Stories and reading for pleasure

Adults read aloud to children regularly so that every child experiences language and literature beyond the level they can currently read independently. Children revisit favourite stories, discover new authors and illustrators and encounter stories, poetry and information from a wide range of cultures and perspectives.

Our Reading Spine sets out the stories, rhymes, poems and texts that form part of children’s reading entitlement. Teachers also select additional books that respond to children’s interests, current learning and class discussions.

In KS1, Talk Through Stories provides regular opportunities to explore ambitious texts in greater depth. Children revisit vocabulary, discuss characters and events, build on one another’s ideas and explain their thinking.

Children have opportunities to choose books, visit the library, talk about their preferences and recommend books to others. We want every child to see themselves as a reader and to experience the pleasure, comfort, curiosity and imagination that books can bring.

Reading books and sharing books

Children bring home books for two different purposes.

A child’s matched reading book allows them to practise the phonics and word-reading knowledge they have already been taught. Rereading this book develops accuracy, confidence, fluency and expression.

A sharing book is chosen for interest and enjoyment. It may be beyond the level the child can currently read independently. An adult can read this book aloud so that the child can enjoy the story, explore new vocabulary and discuss ideas without being limited by their current decoding knowledge.

More information about our systematic phonics teaching and matched books can be found on our Phonics and Early Reading – Read Write Inc. page.

Helping your child at home

Short, regular and enjoyable reading experiences make a significant difference. Families can help by:

  • reading aloud to your child every day;
  • listening to your child read their matched school book;
  • rereading familiar books so that reading becomes smoother and more expressive;
  • discussing pictures, characters, events and interesting facts;
  • explaining unfamiliar words and encouraging your child to use them;
  • asking your child to retell the most important events in order;
  • making predictions and discussing the clues in the text;
  • talking about how a character might be feeling and why;
  • encouraging your child to explain their opinions and preferences;
  • visiting the library and choosing books connected to your child’s interests;
  • enjoying stories, songs and rhymes in the language your family knows best;
  • allowing your child to revisit favourite books;
  • showing your child that adults also read for pleasure and information.

Reading together should be a warm and enjoyable experience. If your child is tired or finding a book difficult, take turns, read part of the text aloud or return to it at another time.

If you have questions about your child’s reading development or the books they bring home, please speak to their class teacher.

Useful websites for families

Our Reading Curriculum

Our curriculum documents explain how children develop the knowledge, skills and behaviours needed to become effective readers from Reception to Year 2.