Reading & Spelling
Every Child A Reader
Learning to read is an extremely important of a child’s education and children who can read well generally achieve better in all other areas of the curriculum.
At Frome Vale Academy we work with parents to ensure that every child has the best start that they can have by ensuring children are able to read sufficiently by the age of seven. The ‘Every Child a Reader’ approach involves children being identified as early as possible for extra help (or intervention) in order for them to be reading independently at age related levels by the end of Key Stage 1.
Please see our reading levels document.
Reading Support and Intervention
Children who need extra help with reading may be offered Reading Recovery or a Better Reading Partner in order to help them make progress quickly.
Reading intervention is necessary so that children can then access all the other areas of the curriculum. It also helps with self-confidence and behaviour as children become an independent learner which gives them the confidence to participate in all areas of school life.
Please follow the link for advice on how to help your child become a better reader: How to help your child become a better reader.
Reading & Spelling
At Frome Vale Academy we use Spelling Shed programme. This is designed to specifically meet the needs of the National Curriculum in a manageable and flexible way. The programme is used from year 2 to year 6 within dedicated lessons.
Take a look at the medium term plan.
Phonics
To support our children’s development of their reading skills, the school has elected to teach phonics using Unlocking Letters and Sounds
Skilled word-reading involves working out the pronunciation of unfamiliar printed words (decoding) and recognising familiar printed words. Underpinning both of these is the understanding that letters represent the sounds in spoken words. Fluent decoding supports pupils’ comprehension, because they do not have to devote mental energy to individual words. A good grasp of phonics is also important for spelling, contributing to fluency and confidence in writing.
Unlocking Letters and Sounds sets out a detailed and systematic programme for teaching phonic skills for children with the aim of them becoming fluent readers by age seven. Unlocking Letters and sounds sessions take place in reception, year 1 and year 2.