At Stokes Wood Primary School, we want every child to leave as a fluent, confident reader with a love and passion for books. Reading is at the heart of learning, supporting children to access knowledge, explore ideas and connect with the world around them. We aim to give all pupils, including those with SEND, the skills and confidence to read for both pleasure and purpose, while developing comprehension, critical thinking and rich vocabulary. Our reading curriculum also ensures that pupils see themselves reflected in stories, characters and authors, supporting our school values of Compassion, Aspiration, Resilience and Excellence. 

Reading is taught through a combination of structured reading sessions, shared class readers and guided reading lessons. Phonics is taught systematically using the ALS programme to ensure pupils build secure decoding skills, while comprehension is developed through strategies we explicitly teach in school, such as asking questions, making predictions and summarising, helping children to read with understanding and think critically about texts. Vocabulary is carefully introduced and reinforced during reading, ensuring exposure without overwhelming children. Reading for pleasure is promoted through weekly library visits, book corners in every classroom, reading competitions, and opportunities to engage pupil leadership roles such as student librarians. Diversity is embedded in book choices, enabling pupils to connect with a wide range of experiences, perspectives and cultures. 

As pupils progress through Stokes Wood, they become confident, independent readers who can understand, analyse and enjoy a wide variety of texts. They use a growing vocabulary, discuss ideas thoughtfully and show curiosity about new topics and stories. Pupils who are secure readers can read fluently and with comprehension, participate confidently in discussions about books, and choose texts that interest them for pleasure. Assessment through Accelerated Reader supports teachers in tracking progress and identifying areas for development, ensuring that every child continues to grow as a reader and develops the lifelong skills and love of reading that will benefit them beyond school.