At Bedlington Whitley Memorial Church of England Primary School, our reading curriculum is rooted in our Christian vision and commitment to serving our community. As one Whitley Family, we value all of God’s children and strive to support their spiritual, personal and academic growth so that they may live life in all its fullness.
We believe that reading is fundamental to enabling every child to flourish. Through high-quality teaching and strong partnerships with families, the church and our community, we enable every child to develop their God-given talents and let their light shine. Our reading curriculum is designed to secure strong decoding skills through systematic synthetic phonics, develop fluent, confident and expressive readers and equip children with a wide range of comprehension strategies. We place a strong emphasis on expanding vocabulary through rich and varied texts, encouraging children to read widely across fiction, non-fiction and poetry and fostering a lifelong love of reading. Through carefully chosen, age-appropriate texts, we actively promote our core values, enabling children to reflect on themselves, others and the world around them.
From Reception, children follow the Read, Write, Inc. phonics programme. This structured, systematic approach enables children to learn the 44 common sounds in the English language and to apply these skills with increasing accuracy, speed and confidence. This inclusive approach reflects our commitment to equality for all, ensuring that every child feels supported, valued and able to succeed. Once children have completed the phonics programme, they move onto Whitley Reading, which is implemented from Year 2 through to Year 6 and, where appropriate, alongside phonics in Key Stage 2.
Whitley Reading takes place at least three times per week and follows a clear and consistent structure. Children begin by developing a secure understanding of the text through focused exploration of vocabulary, fluency and key ideas. Teachers then explicitly model reading strategies and thinking processes through guided comprehension activities, supporting children to deepen their understanding. Finally, children independently apply their skills through written comprehension tasks, enabling them to demonstrate confidence, accuracy and increasing independence in their reading. This approach promotes reading stamina, deep understanding and confidence, encouraging children to persevere when faced with challenges. Texts are selected by the literacy leader and class teachers to ensure that they are engaging, challenging and representative of diverse voices, cultures and experiences.
Across the school, every class participates in daily Protected Reading Time. This is a dedicated 15-minute session where the class teacher reads aloud to the children in a calm, reflective and nurturing environment. During this time, children listen to high-quality literature, experience fluent and expressive reading modelled by adults, and enjoy a quiet space for immersion and enjoyment, without the pressure of written outcomes or assessment. Protected Reading Time promotes reading for pleasure, supports emotional wellbeing and strengthens relationships within the Whitley Family. It reflects our commitment to kindness, respect and love, ensuring that children feel safe, valued and inspired.
Our well-stocked school library plays an important role in promoting reading for pleasure and developing independence. Each class is allocated timetabled slots every half term to use the library during Protected Reading Time and reading sessions. During these visits, children are encouraged to explore a wide range of texts and select books based on personal interest, rather than solely following Accelerated Reader. This approach develops curiosity, autonomy and enjoyment, fostering a lifelong love of books.
To further enrich children’s reading experiences, termly visits are arranged to our local library. These visits provide children with opportunities to explore a wider range of authors, genres and information texts within a community setting. Children learn how libraries support learning and wellbeing and are encouraged to view them as welcoming spaces for reading, research and enjoyment. These experiences strengthen links with the local community and promote reading as a lifelong skill.
We recognise the importance of positive relationships in developing confident readers. Across school, adults regularly read with children on a one-to-one or small-group basis to provide encouragement, guidance and targeted support. These sessions enable staff to model fluent reading, develop comprehension skills and build children’s confidence. Through these nurturing interactions, children feel valued, supported and encouraged as part of the Whitley Family.
To support independent reading and monitor progress, children who have completed phonics are enrolled on the Accelerated Reader programme. Each half term, children complete a Star Reading assessment to identify their Zone of Proximal Development (ZPD). Children select books within this range, beginning at the lower end to build confidence and success. Following each book, children complete a comprehension quiz to assess understanding. Reading achievements are celebrated in weekly worship, reinforcing the value we place on perseverance and effort.
We recognise parents as children’s first educators and value strong partnerships with families. Parents are encouraged to support daily reading at home and record this in reading records. Half-termly reading incentives encourage engagement and commitment, with rewards linked to enrichment opportunities and community experiences. For children who are unable to read regularly at home, opportunities are provided through Reading Club, where children can read with adults in a supportive and welcoming environment. This ensures that all children, regardless of circumstance, are given equitable access to high-quality reading experiences. Our strong reading culture is further enhanced through daily story time, a well-stocked school library, World Book Day celebrations, core text studies and cross-curricular reading opportunities. Together, these experiences inspire curiosity, reflection and enjoyment, and reinforce reading as a valued and celebrated part of life within the Whitley Family.
Our reading curriculum enables children to become confident, fluent and thoughtful readers who are well prepared for the next stage of their education. Through systematic phonics, structured comprehension teaching, independent reading, Accelerated Reader and daily Protected Reading Time, children at Whitley develop the ability to read accurately and with expression, demonstrate strong comprehension, apply reading strategies independently, show resilience and perseverance when faced with challenge, engage enthusiastically with literature, and develop a genuine love of reading.
Progress and attainment are measured through Reception Baseline, statutory assessments and ongoing formative assessment, ensuring that every child is supported to achieve their full potential. At Whitley Memorial, reading is a golden thread woven throughout our curriculum and community life. It supports children’s academic success, spiritual development and personal wellbeing, enabling them to grow in confidence and faith and to truly let their light shine.