Promoting a Love of Reading

Newquay Junior Academy is proud of its provision of a progressive reading curriculum. We recognise that reading is the gateway to all other subjects, therefore, every class has a 30 minute session where they are taught the skills of reading using the VIPERS (Vocabulary, Inference, Prediction, Explanation, Retrieval, Summarise) approach as well as developing their fluency.

Reading for pleasure is actively promoted and celebrated throughout the academy.

Newquay Junior Academy has a new modern library, which is well stocked with a variety of books for pupils to borrow. Alongside this, workshops on how to help your child read continue to be delivered to parents and carers on a regular basis.

Each year group select high-quality texts that inspire pupils and introduce them to a widening range of authors. The texts are carefully chosen to ensure a wide range of ethnicity and diversity, which are used to enhance Newquay Junior Academy’s thematic curriculum as well as providing a broader cultural understanding.

Phonics from the Start

The Year 3 team build upon the reading foundations established at Key Stage 1 using the same Read, Write, Inc phonics programme. This is taught with fidelity to the scheme, and children take a book home which is matched to their level to practise their reading skills.

All teachers identify gaps in phonic knowledge and provide high quality support to pupils to address them.

Regular parent cafes are held where teachers and parents can discuss reading and the curriculum as well as ways in which to develop a love of reading at home as well as within the academy.

How we check pupil progress in reading

Class teachers have a clear view of where all pupils are in their reading progress. In addition, all staff have high expectations for the progress that their pupils will make throughout the academic year.

Teachers closely monitor reading progress during each term, so they can support any pupil falling behind age-related expectations.

Pupils in Years 3, 4 and 5 take termly standardised tests (PIRA) and Year 6 pupils are assessed by using past SAT papers. Each half term the pupil's also have fluency assessments.

Teacher check pupils’ progress following daily reading lessons and provide extra support where needed. Some pupils receive short ‘catch-up’ intervention during the afternoons.

Providing suitable books

Class teachers have a clear view of where all pupils are in their reading progress. In addition, all staff have high expectations for the progress that their pupils will make throughout the academic year.

Teachers closely monitor reading progress during each term, so they can support pupils with their book choices any pupil falling behind age-related expectations.

Helping pupils to catch up quickly

Through formative and summative assessments teachers identify when pupils are falling behind in reading and provide effective support to catch up quickly.

Provision map software, used by Newquay Junior Academy, show specific provision for pupils who need to catch up in reading.

All staff are reading experts

Newquay Junior Academy staff effectively use professional development training delivered by the Kernow English Hub, RWI (Read, Write Inc) and the English subject leaders to improve their knowledge and teaching of reading so that that they are teachers who read and readers who teach.

Mrs Findlay's reading newsletters

As part of her work with the Kernow English Hub, Mrs. Findlay runs 'Transforming Your School's Reading Culture' sessions for many schools in Cornwall. This enables her to share her practice with English Leads across the county to help them instill a love of reading in their own schools.  Each half term, she produces a newsletter packed full of fabulous books, written by amazing classic and contemporary authors, and super talented illustrators which you may be interested in-take a look!