At Netherton Infants, we want every child to gain a life-long love of reading, and for reading to be seen as a life skill that will give them the tools they need to achieve their full potential in all areas of the curriculum.

Children apply their knowledge of structured synthetic phonics in order to decode unfamiliar words, read with confidence, accuracy, fluency and expression, to comprehend and respond to a wide range of texts.

Through the delivery of our reading curriculum we ensure consistent, progressive and robust teaching and learning of early reading and phonics. 

Synthetic phonics is the first method for the teaching of reading as it provides the foundations required to become a fluent reader. We understand that once children are able to decode fluently, the teaching of comprehension is quicker and more effective as they are able to focus all of their attention to understanding what they read.

Reading books in Reception and Key Stage 1 match our phonics programme. Children are taught specific phonemes/graphemes and then have access to the equivalent books that reinforce the phonics that have been explicitly taught.

 Pupils have opportunities to develop their reading skills daily, and are encouraged to read at home with an adult. 

We provide a text rich environment, in order to encourage a positive culture of reading throughout all classes and promote pupils’ enjoyment of reading. Children hear, share and discuss a range of high-quality texts through our whole class English teaching, both in terms of fiction, non‐fiction and poetry. Each class has an inspiring reading corner and weekly access to the school library. Children are encouraged to share their favourite stories with their class and assemblies are held to inspire a love of reading.

We love sharing stories, books and rhymes and learning to read in school.

Ewanrigg reading buddies

We have some children from Ewanrigg Junior School come to our school every Friday afternoon to listen to us read and also enjoy reading to us. 

We use Little Wandle Letters and Sounds to teach reading in school, more detailed information can be found on our phonics curriculum page.

We aim to provide the very best children's books to share with the children and therefore use the Centre for Literacy in Primary Education core books list.

Reading at Home

In Early Years, we aim to foster the love of sharing stories with your children by sending home library books and rhyming bags. We will also share on Tapestry, stories we have been looking at in school and activities you can enjoy at home with your child.

In Reception and Key Stage 1, your child will bring home:

• A reading practice book –Collins Big Cat. This will be at the correct phonic stage for your child. They should be able to read this fluently and independently.
• A sharing book. This is a book your child has chosen themselves either from their class reading area or our school library for you both to read and enjoy together.

The Reading Practice Book:  Big Cat Books

This book has been carefully matched to your child’s current reading level. If your child is reading it with little help, please don’t worry that it’s too easy – your child needs to develop fluency and confidence in reading. Listen to them read the book. Remember to give them lots of praise – celebrate their success! If they can’t read a word, read it to them. After they have finished, talk about the book together.

As part of our homework policy we recommend that children read for 5-10 minutes each night.   Please can you continue to record this reading session in your child’s reading record. 

The Sharing Book: 

In order to encourage your child to become a lifelong reader, it is important that they learn to read for pleasure. The sharing book is a book they have chosen for you to enjoy together. Please remember that you shouldn’t expect your child to read this alone. Read it to or with them. Discuss the pictures, enjoy the story, predict what might happen next, use different voices for the characters, explore the facts in a non-fiction book. The main thing is that you have fun!

Support for Parents

These videos (click on the phonics button below) show you how to pronounce the sounds when blending sounds together to read the words. Notice how the children don’t add an ‘uh’ sound at the end, so they say: ‘t’ not ‘tuh’. Use the downloadable information to help your child say their sounds and read the words.

The resources on the above link will also help you support your child with saying their sounds and reading their book. There are also some useful which demonstrate how they are taught phonics and reading at school.