Reading
Children learn to read using our phonics programme, Read Write Inc. You can find out more here.
From Year 2 through to Year 6 children read books from a broad variety of genre and choice of authors, their progress is monitored through Accelerated Reader software.
We foster a love of reading at our school and our children are encouraged to read a range of books.
All our children have access to our school library where they can choose books for enjoyment also.
Where children are not making the appropriate progress in reading, regular interventions are put in place alongside our core offer.
Hemyock's reading spine:
A reading spine is a carefully chosen collection of high-quality books that all children will encounter during their time at school. These texts are selected because they offer rich language, memorable stories, and characters that stay with children as they grow. By revisiting and discussing these books together, children build a shared experience of literature, deepen their vocabulary, and develop a lifelong love of reading.
In our Read Write Inc. (RWI) programme, we use a Mirrors and Windows approach when choosing and sharing books with children. A ‘mirror’ book is one in which children can see themselves, their families, and their experiences reflected. A ‘window’ book opens up new worlds, helping children learn about people, places, and perspectives that may be different from their own. By balancing both, we ensure that every child feels represented in the stories they read, while also developing curiosity, empathy, and a broader understanding of the world.
windows and mirrors sep 25.pdf