English Reading
What our children say about reading
EYFS-Mila, Gabe, Nancy, Evie- 'I like reading because it is fun!' 'You can sound them out' 'I just like the pictures because they make me happy.'
Year 1- Bibi- 'I like to read because it makes me calm.'
Year 2- Albie- 'I like reading my favourite story, it's a football chapter book.'
Our vision for reading
Our vision for reading is simple, we want every child to feel welcomed as a reader from the moment they walk through the door. We believe reading should feel joyful, safe and full of possibility. Our vision is to nurture confident, curious readers who feel they truly belong in our school community. CHildren learn best when they feel secure, valued and understood. We celebrate every step of progress, no matter how small, so children grow up seeing themselves as capable readers. We choose books that refelct different families, cultures and experiences. This helps children see themselves in stories and also learn about the world around them. We want every child to feel they belong. Our reading curriculum is carefully planned to meet the expectations of the National Curriculumwhile keeping learning playful and engaging.
Children experience:
- systematic, well-structured phonics teaching
- rich vocabulary development
- daily opportunities to read, listen to and enjoy stories
- skills that build year on year
Our aim is for children to:
- build strong early reading skills
- develop curiosity and imagination
- enjoy sharing books with others
- see themselves in the stories they read
- grow into independent, enthusiastic readers
We celebrate each child's individuality by offereing diverse, engaging books that reflect who they are and what they love, helping every reader feel seen and valued. We remove barriers by providing supportive, accessible reading experiences so every child can grow in confidence and enjoy success.
How we teach reading
Our reading curriculum is designed to meet the requirements of the National Curriculum. We recognise that many of our children begin school with limited speech, language and social-communication skills, so we prioritise talk, interaction and vocabulary as the foundations of reading. We create environments where spoken language comes first. We believe strong oracy skills give children the tools they need to understand and enjoy reading.
Children experience:
- daily structed talk opportunities
- high quality modelling of vocabulary and sentence structures
- songs, rhymes and stories that build phonological awareness
- play-based interactions that encourage turn-taking, listening and expressive language
As many children start with limited language, we explicitly teach vocabulary through:
- repeated reading of high quality texts
- storytelling, drama and role play
- visual supports, actions and real-life objects
- enquiry-based learning that encourages children to ask questions and explore ideas
We help children understand stories deeply, not just decode words. We also enrich our reading curriculum through real-life experiences. We work closely with a local independent bookshop and invite real authors to visit the school. Through a balance of modelling, practice, exploration, and inspiring experiences, we help children develop confidence, independence and an enjoyment of reading.
What children learn and achieve
Enrichment
Reading is truly at the heart of our infant school. The children were brimming with excitement when we welcomed Fatima Ordinola, who shared her beautiful book Our Love and spoke about how a visit to Colchester zoo and an encounter with a friendly giraffe inspired her story. During National Storytelling week each class performed a story inspired by the rhythm and music of words, bringing tales to life in creative and joyful ways. As part of our World Book week celebrations adults at home shared photos of themselves enjoying books, helping us to show children that reading is something that connects us all and filled our school with imagination, warmth and shared moments of wonder.
Reading subject progression at Doddinghurst Infant School
Reading vocabulary progression at Doddinghurst Infant School
Mrs Daly
English Subject Lead
Since I was a young child, I loved disappearing into worlds filled with mystery, adventure, and fantasy. Stories were never just words on a page for me — they were invitations to imagine, explore, and dream. As a child, I dreamed of becoming an actor, and that love of performing has always shaped the way I read. I enjoy bringing books to life using expressive voices, dramatic pauses, and lively storytelling. Sharing stories with others and reading aloud creates warm, joyful moments that bring people together. A good story is a wonderful conversation starter, and I love how books spark curiosity, laughter and connection.
How families can help at home
https://www.littlewandle.org.uk/whats-included/support-for-parents/
