Reading

 The National Curriculum for English Key Stage 1 and Key Stage 2

Click here for our Lakeside Reading Progression Document

At Lakeside, we see reading as the golden thread to learning. Being able to read enables children to acquire the knowledge they need in order to succeed in life. This means building strong foundations from the very first day of school that will make a real difference to a child’s future.

The ability to read opens doors and gives children access to a wealth of knowledge. It is therefore crucial that early reading is seen as an absolute priority. Unless children can read, they can’t learn to the full.

Reading to children in our school, building their vocabulary and their knowledge of language, is a prerequisite of success. Teachers are expected to regularly read to and hear children read; teach phonics; give children time to practise and consolidate their growing knowledge and importantly, ensure that any child who falls behind with their reading, catches up quickly.

Reading lies at the heart of the curriculum at Lakeside. As you walk around school, high-quality and engaging murals capture moments from key texts. Examples can be seen in corridors and stairwells that depict scenes from Harry Potter and Narnia.

Our curriculum is built around high-quality texts. We have ensured that every child has their own text to read, enjoy and use as part of their learning journey. These texts provide the platform for teachers to forge strong links between subjects, developing children’s knowledge and understanding as well as well broadening their social, moral, spiritual and cultural awareness. Examples of this can be seen in the whole-school ‘Journeys’ topic where texts such as ‘Where the World Ends’, ‘Kensuke’s Kingdom’ and ‘Boy 87’ are used to provide a platform for pupils to develop not only their geographical knowledge but their understanding of key issues such as loss, tragedy, and the realities of life as a refugee.  

Reading and the PROUD Values

The school’s values, which underpin our approach to positive behaviour, are all linked to key texts and characters.

• ’The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe’ by C S Lewis - ’Aslan’ is used to promote the importance of showing kindness and care towards others
• The ‘BFG’ by Roald Dahl - The ‘BFG’ is used to promote the importance of being friendly to others
• ‘Matilda’ by Roald Dahl - ’Matilda’ is used to show the importance of hard work and always doing your best
• The ‘Gruffalo’ by Julia Donaldson - The ‘Gruffalo’ is used to promote the importance of being honest
• ‘Charlie and the Chocolate Factory’ by Roald Dahl - ’Charlie’ is used to promote the importance of being polite and remembering good manners
• ‘The Boy in the Dress’ by David Walliams - ’The Boy in the Dress’ is used to promote the importance of showing respect towards others
• ‘Charlie and Lola’ by Lauren Child - ‘Charlie and Lola’ are used to promote the importance of looking after our school
• ‘The Lorax’ by Dr Suess - ‘The Lorax’ is used to promote the importance of considering the impact our actions have upon the world and the environment in which we live.