Reading at Church Vale is at the forefront of our curriculum. We believe reading is the key to unlock learning and a world of possibilities. 

At Church Vale, our children's reading journey begins in the Early Years.

Children are read to daily to instill a love of reading and books from the earliest age. We practise listening and attention skills to enable our children to engage with listening games and stories. Our rigourous speech and language support encourages our children to join in with stories, rhymes and songs and talk about books with grown ups and friends.  

Our Early Years environment is designed to entice independent reading and for children to see a purpose in reading. 

Alongside promoting a love of books, we also teach children to read from an early age.

We teach early reading through phonics.

At Church Vale we begin our phonics journey in F1.

 Phonics is taught daily in the Early Years and Key Stage One. We quickly see children applying what they learn in phonics lessons in their independent reading. 

We follow our own rigorous systematic, synthetic phonics program to ensure children are confident and skilled readers. 

Reading at home. 

Throughout school children take home a 'sharing/library book' for adults to read and discuss. This book may not be a book your child can read independently but is perfect for a quality 'storytime' that encourages children to develop a love of books and a chance to escape with you into another world!  

In Foundation and Key Stage One each child brings home a 'Phonics book' which is closley matched to their phonics ability, this gives them the oppurtunity to practise and apply their phonics skills with you at home. Once a child has gained fluency in reading, they will then take home a 'reading book' which is matched to their reading ability.  It is important that your child is encouraged to read this book as often as they can at home. 

Reading for Pleasure

Core Reading Lists 

Every year our teachers carefully choose a list of books that we match to our children's interests. We try to choose new and celebrated authors to help our children discover some new favourites! 

In the Autumn Term, each class has a weekly 'Book Battle' 

The books are promoted to the children ready for them to vote which book makes it through to the next round. After 10 tense weeks of battles, a winner is finally announced! 

Below are the list of each Year Group's Book Battle core reading books. Links are added if you would like to purchase any of the books for home. 

Reading Mileage 

Children are expected to read at least 3 times a week. 

Parents are asked to sign reading diaries when they have listened to or read to their child. 

Each week the amount of reads are counted and certificates and prizes are awarded to the children who reach 25, 50, 100, 150, 200, 250 and 300 reads.

We love to see our children so excited and enthusiastic to move onto the next reading milestone and we are grateful to you for supporting this at home. 

Useful reading websites and apps: 

• Hairy letters (app)

• Teach your monster to read (app)

• Mr Thorne does phonics (youtube)

• Oxford Owl (website. See log in details in your child's reading diary) 

• Big Cats elibrary for EYFS and KS1 (See link and log in details in your child's reading diary) 

• Phonics play (website)

Reading Volunteers 

We are fortunate to have a team of Reading Volunteers who dedicate their time to listen to our children read each week. We are always keen to build our team so if you are interested in becoming a reading volunteer, please see Miss Law.