Reading at Hollydale

Reading is at the heart of Hollydale and we want all our children to be passionate about reading. Therefore, we make sure that all children have access to a range of exciting, diverse and language-rich books and reading materials. Every classroom has a stimulating and engaging book corner, and we provide many opportunities for children to read, and be read to, throughout the school day.

Download Centre:

Please choose from the following options:

Children are taught the skills of decoding and comprehension depending on their age and stage of development. All children are encouraged to read at home regularly with an adult.

EYFS and KS1 have a taught daily phonics session. This teaches children to hear, say, read and write the full range of sounds needed to read and write independently. We are following the synthetics phonics programme – Little Wandle Letters and Sounds Revised.

KS2 have a taught daily 30-minute session, which follows the Literary Leaves programme developed by the Literacy Tree. This involves the study of carefully selected texts at a whole-class level. Through this, children are taught the following key skills of reading comprehension: predicting, clarifying, evaluating, inferencing, making connections, summarising and questioning and how to apply them in a wider range of contexts.

By the end of KS1 children should be able to:

  • decode a range of unfamiliar words using the sounds that have been taught
  • segment and blend longer words
  • read fluently with intonation and expression
  • be exposed to a wide range of texts which they can talk about
  • discuss the types of books that they enjoy

By the end of KS2 children should be able to:

  • draw on their previous reading to discuss their reading preferences
  • understand what they have read and offer opinions and justifications
  •  to identify and explain different genres
  • read a wider range of genre
  • apply strategies for understanding unfamiliar words
  • independently select books and reading materials.

We aim to cultivate readers with a passion for a wide range of genres to ensure that their love of reading extends beyond the classroom and evokes a thirst for knowledge and a curiosity for life.

Children at Hollydale are exposed to a varied diet of Reading. Reading weaves its way through the curriculum, the classroom environment and the wider culture of the school.

Children are exposed to reading through:

  • ‘Teaching of Reading’ – daily whole class lessons from Y2-6 and daily small group and 1:1 sessions in EYFS and Y1
  • Reading opportunities across the curriculum
  • Classroom book corners
  • Story time
  • Opportunities for independent reading
  • Reading at home
  • Visits to the school library and half termly visits to Nunhead Library
  • Special reading weeks
  • Reading buddies
  • Reading volunteers
  • Author / Poet visits and workshops
  • Parents and Carers Reading Together Sessions in EYFS and KS1

Reading Buddies – Reading buddies is a programme in our school in which KS2 pupils are paired with EYFS and KS1 pupils to read together. All of our reading buddies receive training that includes reading coaching skills and strategies.

Yr 2 Child ‘I really like it when my reading buddy helps me out with my reading. I am also really enjoying my book.’

Yr 2 Child ‘I like it when I learn new words and my partner helps me with the meaning so I understand.’

Yr 6 Child ‘It’s really nice to help the younger children with their reading and teach them something new.’

Yr 6 Child ‘It makes you proud when the children learn a new word, I feel proud.’

Reading displays at Hollydale

Reading displays at Hollydale

Reading video links

Reading video links

Book Reviews Video Link:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VSpZHhU8lpU

Poetry Performances inspired by Amanda Gorman’s ‘Change Sings’:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F0xm9URgu_I&t=5s

Class book doors

Class book doors

3d book covers

3d book covers

Book themed cake sale

Book themed cake sale

Book potatoes

Book potatoes