English
Reading
At New Bewerley Community School, we recognise that the ability to read independently is one of the most important skills we can teach our children. From the earliest age, we strive to foster a love of reading and ensure that every child develops the skills, confidence and desire to become a lifelong reader.
To create a high-quality reading culture, we aim to:
- Teach a systematic phonics programme that enables every child to decode and read with confidence.
- Ensure every child can enjoy, understand and respond to a wide range of texts as a fluent reader.
- Develop and extend children's vocabulary through rich discussion and high-quality texts.
- Enable children to read with fluency, accuracy, expression and understanding.
We achieve this by:
- Delivering high-quality phonics teaching consistently across the school.
- Using robust assessment processes to ensure all children are working at the appropriate level and receive additional support whenever needed.
- Creating a culture where books are valued and enjoyed, encouraging children to have a voice in choosing texts that inspire and engage them.
- Using a wide range of high-quality texts to support comprehension lessons, whilst providing regular opportunities for reading aloud, discussion and written responses.
- Promoting reading for pleasure through class texts, library opportunities and a rich reading environment.
Writing
At New Bewerley Community School we place a high value on developing children’s writing skills.
Some links below are being updated - please check back soon to view our writing curriculum statements and long term plan.
Phonics
At New Bewerley, we follow Read Write Inc Phonics, to teach children how to read, write and spell in a consistent and comprehensive way. Our approach and resources are carefully embedded to ensure every child receives high-quality phonics education throughout school that is tailored to their reading stage not their age.
Intent
At New Bewerley, our aim is to ensure that all children become fluent, confident readers and writers by following the systematic synthetic phonics approach of Read Write Inc (RWI).
We ensure that every child participates in Read Write Inc. phonics sessions every day to develop their early reading, writing and spelling skills. Children in KS2, who are developing their early reading skills, also access daily or phonics sessions to ensure that they make progress and develop key skills to become competent readers.
RWI is a systematic and rigorous phonics programme that is delivered by well-trained staff who recognise the importance of developing early reading skills for all our learners. All staff are committed to implementing our chosen programme to deliver an effective phonics curriculum and raise the standards of reading throughout school. They receive regular CPD training through the use of the RWI portal system, and have weekly side-by-side coaching with the Early Reading Lead to ensure that they are confident in the delivery of the programme.
Implementation
At New Bewerley, children in Reception, Year 1 and Year 2 take part in daily Read Write Inc. phonics sessions. We also provide these lessons for pupils in lower Key Stage 2 who benefit from continuing with an early reading curriculum. In Key Stage 2, our early readers receive tailored support through one‑to‑one speed sound sessions and small‑group storybook lessons, helping them to close gaps and build fluency.
Children are grouped into coloured groups according to their challenge point (these range from Group A through to grey group). Formative assessments take place during these daily sessions and then half termly assessments are carried out to track children's progress and determine phonics groupings. Children who are not keeping up are quickly identified and interventions are put in place to support, in addition to the daily Phonics sessions.
The children read the story books three times a week and complete a series of punctuation, grammar and writing activities linked to their given text. The first read introduces the children to the story green words and focuses on the children reading the words correctly. The second read supports fluency and the third read encourages the children to read the text in their 'storyteller voice' to show their understanding of the text.
Our Reading Routine
Our Reading and Spelling Routines
At New Bewerley, children use their reading routine to identify ‘special friends’ within word and apply their sound knowledge to read, write and spell.
Please click on Fred the frog to see our reading and spelling routines.
Parents and Carers
All Read Write Inc. parent and carer information booklets are available in various languages; please contact school for more information.
Phonics at home
Reading at home is vital to your child’s progress. Each week they will bring home a Read Write Inc. decodable book, carefully matched to their phonics knowledge and practised daily during their phonics sessions. They will also bring home a Read Write Inc. Storybook linked to their group text. Please ensure book bags are in school every day; books are changed each Friday once children are familiar with the text. Fines may be issued for books that are repeatedly not returned, helping us to ensure that all children continue to have access to our Read Write Inc. resources.
In Reception, children start with Set 1 sounds and will bring home single-letter sound sheets to practise. When they reach Group C, they will receive a lilac blending book to help develop blending skills. Children in the Ditty group read a new ditty each day and will bring home a set of ditty sheets every Friday to reinforce their sound and blending knowledge.
Those in the Red to Grey groups will bring home a sound book matched to their phonics level. Please support your child by listening to them read at least 3–4 times a week to practise their sounds and foster a love of reading.