Reading
At Staverton, we are passionate about fostering a lifelong love of reading. We believe the greatest gift we can give our children is to become confident, independent readers who choose to read for pleasure.
Our vision is simple: the right book in every child’s hand.
Our Approach
- A culture of reading for pleasure – Pupils read widely and often, supported by our library, classroom book corners, visits to Trowbridge Library, and a “pop-up bookshop” stocked with high-quality texts.
- Daily guided reading lessons – From Year 1–6, children enjoy a 30-minute reading lesson each day, carefully planned around our school reading spine of over 40 quality texts. Lessons balance fiction and non-fiction, with a strong focus on vocabulary and discussion.
- Progressive teaching – Reading is taught consistently across the school, beginning with Read Write Inc phonics. As pupils move on, they are challenged with harder texts, “close reading” techniques, and opportunities to analyse and respond through writing.
- Research-informed practice – Our pedagogy draws on the work of Doug Lemov (Reading Reconsidered) and Aidan Chambers (Tell Me), ensuring pupils think deeply, engage actively, and develop independence in their responses to literature.
What Reading Looks Like
In our classrooms, you will see:
- Teachers and teaching assistants modelling a love of reading
- High-quality questions that prompt thoughtful discussion
- Children confidently talking about books and using reading language
- Whole-class routines (paired reading, reading aloud, tracking texts) smoothly embedded
- Home reading books carefully matched to each child’s stage, monitored regularly by teachers
Why We Do It
We believe every child has the right to be an outstanding reader. Our approach ensures that children:
- Encounter a wide range of literature, including challenging texts
- Develop the vocabulary, skills and confidence to read across the curriculum
- Experience the joy of reading as a community — with peers, teachers and families
- Build the habits that will make them lifelong readers
Our Reading Spine
To guarantee that every child has access to a rich literary heritage, we are developing a Staverton Reading Spine. Each year group studies a selection of high-quality texts, ensuring children experience breadth, challenge and progression in their reading journey.
