English is at the heart of our culture and literacy skills are crucial to children’s learning across all subjects. Without literacy, all other learning is impossible and today’s young people will enter an adult world where they will read and write more than at any other time in human history.

The English classroom is a place where we can all be excited by literature and language and where imagination and creativity is nurtured. We want to instil pupils with a love of reading so they develop the habit of reading widely and often, for pleasure and information throughout their lives. After all,

‘There are many little ways to enlarge your child’s world. Love of books is the best of all.’

Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis

Reading

In order to promote a love of reading, we have carefully selected texts to form our reading spine. Starting in year 1, all children access whole class reading. During these lessons, children are challenged with their thinking to ensure a deep understanding of the text and skills they are learning. In addition to these texts, the children explore a range of poetry each term 

Throughout the school, the children enjoy a daily ‘Love to Read’ session. This is a ten-minute session whereby the class teacher shares high-quality, carefully selected texts from a range of genres which promotes deeper meanings, as well as an understanding of the wider world. Through these texts, the children will be encouraged to explore our school values of love, hope and truth and develop their breadth of vocabulary. Please see below a selection of books that will be explored during the Autumn Term.

Phonics

At St James’, we believe that our most important job is to teach children to read. Our intent is, not only to ensure children are fluent and functional readers by the time they enter Key Stage 2, but also that we nurture a love of reading. Through our extensive reading curriculum, we intend for our children to develop the comprehension and fluency skills to be successful life-long readers, therefore gaining the necessary skills to progress in all other areas of the curriculum.At St James’, we believe that our most important job is to teach children to read. Our intent is, not only to ensure children are fluent and functional readers by the time they enter Key Stage 2, but also that we nurture a love of reading. Through our extensive reading curriculum, we intend for our children to develop the comprehension and fluency skills to be successful life-long readers, therefore gaining the necessary skills to progress in all other areas of the curriculum.