Reading
"Why is reading so important to us at Holy Family?" Mrs Harris asked.
"Because... Reading is King!" everybody replied.
Reading
Reading lies at the heart of learning at Holy Family. It underpins all subjects and is a life-long skill that enables pupils to access cultural literacy and develop as independent, life-long learners. Our reading curriculum ensures a carefully sequenced progression from early reading in Key Stage 1 to fluent, confident readers in Key Stage 2. Strong comprehension is developed through both word reading, including phonics and language comprehension, ensuring pupils can read with fluency and understanding across all areas of the curriculum.
Phonics and early reading are taught daily using Read, Write Inc, with pupils grouped according to ability and progress closely monitored. Groups are reassessed regularly to ensure teaching meets pupils’ needs. Fluency is prioritised and pupils practise texts in which most words are familiar, with a small proportion introducing new learning. Those who do not pass the Year 1 Phonics Screening Check receive additional support through daily one-to-one interventions and targeted monitoring.
In Key Stage 2, pupils take part in daily guided reading sessions using high-quality texts from a wide range of genres. Lessons are structured around the National Curriculum reading content domains, with one domain taught explicitly each week through modelling, practice and application. Visual cues, such as symbols and colour-coded icons, support pupils in recognising and applying skills, with key domains including retrieving, defining, and inferring given additional focus.
Pupils are encouraged to develop a love of reading through initiatives such as Mobile Library Bus visits and author visits. Classrooms feature recommended reads selected by staff, and pupils in Key Stage 1 vote on a storybook for end-of-day storytime.
This approach equips pupils with confident decoding skills, a strong foundation in phonics, and early speaking and listening abilities. It ensures a smooth transition from early reading to Key Stage 2 reading domains, leading to improved outcomes in the Year 1 Phonics Screening Check and strong attainment at the end of Key Stage 2. Pupils leave school as fluent, confident readers ready to continue as life-long learners.
Phonics - Read, Write, Inc.
At Holy Family, pupils begin their phonics journey in the first week of Reception using the Read Write Inc. programme, which follows a systematic synthetic phonics approach. Pupils start by learning the initial sounds, gradually progressing to more complex sounds as they move through Reception and into Year 1.
As pupils develop their phonics knowledge, they learn to segment and blend sounds, enabling them to begin reading independently. This structured approach lays a strong foundation for reading fluency, comprehension and a lifelong love of books.
Progression from Read, Write, Inc. to Reading Skills
Once pupils complete their phonics screening check, they move on to the Read Write Inc. comprehension scheme. Using short extracts, pupils begin to learn and practise the skills needed to answer simple retrieval questions, often using the ‘find and copy’ technique.
This approach prepares them for transition into Year 3, where they take part in daily, whole-class reading skills lessons, building on these foundations to develop fluency, comprehension, and confidence as independent readers.
Reading Skills
Reading Skills are daily 30-minute sessions in which one reading skill is explicitly taught and modelled by the class teacher. This whole-class approach uses unfamiliar extracts, including both narrative and non-narrative texts, to develop pupils’ comprehension.
The reading skills taught link directly to the reading domains in the national curriculum. Pupils learn to recognise and apply these skills consistently and we use visual symbols in class to help them identify and remember each skill.
Accelerated Reader
Once pupils progress beyond the Read Write Inc. storybooks and become fluent readers, they move on to texts from our main school Accelerated Reader library. This system begins with a Star Reader test, which identifies each pupil’s reading age and indicates the appropriate book colour and numbered level.
Pupils are expected to read their chosen book for a minimum of 20 minutes each night at home. Before selecting their next book, they complete a short online quiz to check their comprehension and ensure they have fully understood the text. Accelerated Reader helps pupils develop fluency, build confidence, and foster a love of reading, while also enabling teachers to monitor progress and support each child’s growth as an independent reader.
Book Swap
Do you struggle to find a book at home that you want to read? Would you like a second book to enjoy alongside your Accelerated Reader text? Have you ever visited Maidstone Library?
Holy Family is incredibly lucky to have our very own community sharing library on site, open to everyone—pupils, parents, staff, and carers. Pupils are encouraged to visit at lunchtimes, where they can find a quiet space to read, select their next story, or explore a book linked to their class learning.
The library is also open after school for pupils and their families, giving everyone the opportunity to choose a book purely for pleasure. Our approach is simple: borrow, read, return, swap, and visit again. By fostering a love of reading in this way, we aim to inspire lifelong readers and create a welcoming space for our whole school community.
Mobile Library Bus
Fortnightly, librarians from Maidstone Library operate a mobile library bus that stops directly outside our school gates. Classes take turns visiting the bus, where pupils can jump aboard and choose a book to read for pleasure.
While we have a wide range of books in school, the mobile library gives our pupils regular access to brand new titles, helping to spark curiosity, inspire reading for enjoyment and broaden their reading experiences.
Scholastic Book Fair
We regularly host a Scholastic Book Fair at Holy Family, giving pupils the opportunity to explore a wide range of exciting books and choose titles that interest them. These events help foster a love of reading, encourage independent choice and allow children to take ownership of their reading journey.
Proceeds from the Book Fair also support the school, helping us to expand and update our library resources for all pupils to enjoy.
