At East Sheen Primary School, we believe that learning to read is one of the most important skills a child can develop. Reading is at the heart of all learning, and we work hard to ensure every child becomes a confident, enthusiastic reader who enjoys reading for pleasure.

A strong foundation in spoken language is key to becoming a successful reader. We encourage families to talk, share stories and read together from an early age, helping children develop the language skills needed for reading and writing.

"Reading and writing float on a sea of talk."
James Britton (1983)

For information about how we teach early reading, please see our Early Reading and Phonics page.

Reading at School

Children develop their reading skills through a range of experiences, including:

• Daily phonics lessons (Read Write Inc.)
• Guided reading sessions
• Reading with teachers and support staff
• Independent reading opportunities
• Daily story time in every class

As children become fluent readers, the focus expands beyond decoding words to understanding, discussing and responding to what they read. Children learn to develop comprehension skills, express opinions about texts and read with fluency and expression.

Reading in Key Stage 2

In Key Stage 2, children continue to read a wide range of high-quality texts through English lessons, guided reading and independent reading.

Children regularly complete Star Reading assessments to help identify books that match their reading ability and interests. They also take part in Accelerated Reader, completing quizzes on books they have read to check understanding and earn points towards reading achievements, including becoming a Word Millionaire.

Our aim is to foster confident, lifelong readers who read both for learning and for enjoyment.

Recommended Reading

Year group book lists can be found on the individual year group pages of our website.