‘A reader from Castle Primary School will: 

• develop vocabulary, language comprehension and a love of reading through the reading of stories, poems, rhymes and non-fiction books; 

• be familiar with and enjoy listening to a wide range of stories, poems, rhymes and non-fiction texts;  

• be able to confidently talk about the books they read and make recommendations to others’; and 

• read fluently with accuracy, automaticity and prosody conveying clear messages and demonstrating understanding in what they read.’

Castle Primary School is determined that every pupil will learn to read, regardless of their background, needs or abilities.  All pupils, including the weakest readers will make sufficient progress to meet or exceed age-related expectations. 

Reading, including the teaching of systematic, synthetic phonics, is taught from the beginning of Reception.   Phonics is taught by our reding leads through the Read Write Inc phonics programme of study. It is followed with strict fidelity and consequently, Castle Primary School has clear expectations of pupils’ phonics progress term-by-term, from Reception to Year 2.   The ongoing assessment of pupils’ phonics progress is sufficiently frequent and detailed to identify any pupil who is falling behind the programme’s pace. If they do fall behind, targeted support is given immediately.  

At Castle Primary School, our vision is to cultivate a deep love and enjoyment of reading in every child, ensuring that they become confident, fluent, and expressive readers. We believe that reading is a fundamental right and an essential skill, enabling children to access all areas of the curriculum and prepare for a future of lifelong learning. By immersing pupils in diverse, high-quality texts, we aim to broaden their cultural understanding and develop a rich, varied vocabulary that enhances their ability to communicate effectively.

Our approach emphasises the importance of fostering strong connections between school and home, encouraging a shared commitment to developing independent, enthusiastic readers. We strive to inspire children to read for both pleasure and purpose, nurturing their curiosity and interest in words and meaning. Ultimately, we aim to create confident, capable readers who are well-prepared for the challenges of key stage 3 and beyond, with the skills, knowledge, and passion to thrive in the wider world.

Castle Reading Curriculum updated

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