Reading is an integral part of every child’s educational journey and our reading curriculum at The Willows Primary School ignites the imaginations of our children through the use of high-quality, carefully chosen texts. Our approach is designed not only to develop reading skills and make connections to the wider curriculum but also to foster a lifelong love for reading.
At the heart of our reading approach are picture books and novels that serve as both mirrors and windows into diverse worlds. We select books that reflect the experiences and cultures of our children (mirrors), as well as those that provide insights into lives different from their own (windows). This thoughtful selection helps develop empathy and understanding, while also affirming the value of each child’s own identity and experiences. Through stories, children learn to empathise with characters from varied backgrounds, seeing the world from multiple perspectives and growing in their capacity for understanding and compassion.
We believe that a love of reading is just as important as reading proficiency. Our classrooms and school library are enriched with a diverse array of genres, poetry and non-fiction. By embedding reading for pleasure as a key part of our school culture we create enthusiastic readers who view books as sources of joy and discovery.
Our reading curriculum is intrinsically linked to our writing curriculum, providing students with exemplary models of language and style. Exposure to high-quality texts not only enhances vocabulary and comprehension but also inspires students to express their own thoughts and stories more effectively. By reading widely and deeply, children naturally gain a greater appreciation of narrative structure, character development, and various writing techniques, which are crucial to their own writing journey. Our reading curriculum program lays the groundwork for academic success and nurtures a generation of passionate readers and skilled writers.
Nursery Coverage and Progression in Reading
Nursery Coverage and Progression in Drama