Intent
At Larkspur Community Primary School, we recognise that reading is fundamental to unlocking a child’s potential and enabling them to access the full breadth of the curriculum and lifelong learning. We make reading real by connecting it to meaningful experiences and texts that help children understand the world around them. We believe that every child has limitless potential, and our reading curriculum nurtures confident, enthusiastic readers who show resilience and believe in themselves. We ensure that everyone belongs by providing an inclusive, supportive environment where every child can develop a deep love of reading and the skills to thrive both academically and personally.
Implementation
Reading is woven throughout our Early Years Foundation Stage and sits at the heart of our curriculum. Our approach reflects the Birth to Five guidance, with Reception placing emphasis on the specific area of Literacy, while Nursery prioritises the prime area of Communication and Language. These foundations are threaded through all areas of learning so that children encounter meaningful opportunities to develop spoken language and early reading behaviours.
When children show they are ready, phonics teaching begins in Nursery through the Little Wandle programme, which then continues progressively through Reception and into Key Stage One to ensure consistency and secure development of early reading skills.
To support reading beyond the classroom, each child takes home a book matched to the sounds they have been taught. We value the crucial role parents and carers play in early reading and encourage regular shared reading at home, with reading records helping us to keep communication strong between home and school.
As pupils move into Key Stages One and Two, our reading curriculum builds on the secure foundations established in the Early Years and follows the expectations of the National Curriculum. Our teaching focuses on developing confident word readers who have secure, thoughtful comprehension.
Word Reading:
At Larkspur, we understand that fluent word reading relies on children being able to decode unfamiliar words efficiently, while recognising familiar words automatically. Systematic phonics teaching in Key Stage One ensures pupils develop a firm understanding of how sounds correspond to letters, enabling them to read with accuracy, confidence, and increasing independence.
Comprehension:
We know that strong comprehension develops through both language understanding and a growing awareness of the world. Children strengthen these skills through high-quality talk with adults, exposure to a wide variety of texts, and opportunities to respond, question and explore ideas. Guided Reading sessions, home reading, and, in Key Stage Two, the Reading Plus programme, all support children in developing deeper understanding and enjoyment of reading.
Pupils are encouraged to read widely across a rich range of fiction and non-fiction texts so they can expand their knowledge, grow their vocabulary, develop empathy, and build a lasting appreciation for books. Reading frequently from high-quality texts nourishes imagination and fosters curiosity.
Every child reads with an adult in school each week, and parents and carers are invited to read at least three times weekly at home, using reading records to support ongoing communication and collaboration.
Impact
By the time pupils leave our school, it is vital that they can read with accuracy, fluency and assurance, enabling them to step confidently into the demands of secondary education. We draw on a wide range of evidence to understand children’s progress, including the Phonics Screening Check, end of Key Stage assessments, and day-to-day learning seen in books and during guided reading/phonics sessions.
As a school, we place great importance on children using their reading skills across all areas of the curriculum and in their wider lives. We aim for reading to have real, visible impact—supporting children with their aspirations.
