Hale CE Primary School- Curriculum Design- Reading

Our vision is founded on Matthew 5: 14-16

“You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house.  In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.” (Matthew 5:14-16)

At Hale CE Primary School, we value reading as a crucial life skill and the foundation of all learning. Through a carefully designed reading curriculum, we inspire pupils to “Be the Light” by developing confident, fluent readers who read for meaning, enjoyment and purpose. Our aim is that all children leave Hale CE Primary School with a genuine love of reading, strong comprehension skills, and the ability to engage critically with a wide range of high-quality texts.

Be Ready

Be Respectful

Be Responsible

A Reading curriculum that equips pupils with the skills and strategies needed to read confidently and independently. Through explicit teaching of vocabulary, retrieval, inference and fluency, pupils develop the tools required to access increasingly complex texts across the curriculum. Our approach ensures that pupils are prepared for future learning by building strong reading habits, stamina and comprehension from an early age.

A Reading curriculum that fosters respect for language, texts and diverse viewpoints. Pupils are exposed to a wide range of carefully selected literature that reflects varied cultures, authors, genres and themes. Through discussion and shared reading experiences, children learn to listen to others’ interpretations, value different perspectives and develop empathy and understanding through literature.

A Reading curriculum that encourages pupils to take responsibility for their own reading development. Children are supported to reflect on their understanding, explain ideas clearly and take ownership of improving their fluency and comprehension. Regular reading for pleasure is promoted both in school and at home, helping pupils to recognise the role reading plays in their learning, wellbeing and everyday life.

Curriculum Approach

Reading at Hale CE Primary School is taught through a structured mastery approach, using Pathways to Read as the core whole-class reading programme from Key Stage 1 through to Key Stage 2. The programme ensures a consistent and progressive approach to reading, fully aligned with the National Curriculum.

Pathways to Read provides:

• High-quality, engaging texts that promote reading for pleasure and depth of understanding

• Explicit teaching of reading skills through ongoing, core and mastery skills

• A clear, carefully sequenced progression of reading skills across year groups

• Opportunities for rich discussion, vocabulary development and fluency practice

Lessons follow a structured sequence that enables pupils to predict, clarify vocabulary, retrieve information and explain ideas, ensuring comprehension is taught explicitly and systematically. Reading skills are revisited and deepened over time so that understanding becomes secure and transferable.

Teachers carefully scaffold learning to support all pupils, including those who may find reading challenging, while providing appropriate challenge for more confident readers. Oracy and language development are prioritised, with regular opportunities for pupils to articulate ideas clearly using precise vocabulary. The curriculum also contributes to the development of pupils’ cultural capital by exposing them to a broad range of authors, genres and themes.

Impact

The impact of our Reading curriculum is measured through a combination of qualitative and quantitative evidence, including:

• Ongoing assessment of reading fluency and comprehension

• Book scrutiny and progression mapping of reading skills

• Pupil voice, demonstrating enjoyment, confidence and understanding

• End of term-formative NFER tests

• Monitoring of reading engagement and frequency, both in and out of school

By the time pupils leave Hale CE Primary School, they are confident, fluent readers who can read for pleasure and for meaning. They demonstrate strong comprehension skills, a rich vocabulary, and the ability to discuss and respond thoughtfully to texts. Pupils are well prepared for the next stage of their education and equipped with a lifelong love of reading.