Reading Statement of Intent

At Hylton Castle Primary School , we believe that reading is at the heart of every child’s education and that a love of reading is one of the greatest gifts we can give. Our intent is to develop confident, fluent, and enthusiastic readers who read for pleasure, for learning, and for life.

In the Foundation stages we place a strong emphasis on listening to stories, poems, and nursery rhymes. These rich and engaging experiences help our youngest learners develop their vocabulary, imagination, and comprehension skills while sparking an early love of books and storytelling. Listening to language in rhythm and rhyme also supports essential early communication and language development.

As children move into Reception we begin the formal teaching of phonics through the Read Write Inc. (RWI) programme, providing a structured and consistent approach to help children learn to decode words and become independent readers. Phonics teaching is central to early reading success and gives pupils the foundations they need to grow into confident, capable readers by the time they leave year 1.

In Year 2, phonics teaching is built upon and developed into fluency training, which continues throughout Key Stage 2. From Year 2 onwards, pupils receive daily reading lessons that help develop their fluency, vocabulary, summarising, and comprehension skills. As pupils progress, they build the stamina and confidence to read longer texts, apply a range of comprehension strategies, and read with increased expression and understanding.

Throughout the school, all year groups are immersed in rich storytelling sessions, where high-quality texts are shared and explored in depth. These regular read-aloud opportunities not only develop listening and language skills but also inspire curiosity, imagination, and a love of reading. Through stories, children explore diverse experiences, new vocabulary, and a wide range of literary styles.

We are proud of the work we have done in recent years to build a strong reading culture across the school. We have invested heavily in new books, created inviting reading areas in classrooms, and developed calm, comfortable spaces where children can relax and enjoy reading independently or with friends. Our school library is a valued resource, offering a wide variety of books that excite, challenge, and engage every reader.

Each year group also studies a feature author in depth, reading a wide range of their books and exploring their style, characters, and themes. This gives pupils the opportunity to become familiar with a variety of authors and to speak confidently about different writing styles, preferences, and inspirations.

Ultimately, our aim is to develop readers for life—children who choose to read for their own pleasure, education, and entertainment, and who see reading not just as a skill, but as a lifelong adventure.