Reading is at the heart of the Brookfield Junior Academy curriculum and is also one of our key drivers. We aim for every child to become a fluent reader who loves to get lost in a book.

From the start of their journey with us, pupils are supported to develop a love of reading.

They are exposed to high-quality texts and through a systematic, synthetic approach to the teaching of phonics, they are provided with the skills they need to decode confidently.

We aim for all pupils at Brookfield Junior Academy  to be avid readers, pupils who read fluently and widely and are able to express preferences and opinions about the texts that they read. We strive for them to read for pleasure, having had access to a wide range of text types, genres and authors in order for them to make informed opinions about their favourites. 

 

INTENT

At the Brookfield Academy, we STRIVE to do our best and believe reading is fundamental to build knowledge and develop enquiring minds and curiosity about the world.  Our approach aims to ensure:

 

• We instil a lifelong love of reading.
• Reading is put at the heart of our curriculum.
• Future success is linked directly to a broad vocabulary, a love of reading and the ability to communicate effectively.
• Pupils engage and understand a world rich in varied cultures and beliefs.
• All our pupils leave our school as enthusiastic, happy and confident readers with a knowledge of books and authors they love, and a desire to keep exploring literature.

 

IMPLEMENTATION

Phonics and Early Reading

It is important that we get children reading as quickly as possible because we  believe it is one of the most important skills a child will learn. We also want to instil a love of reading from the very first moment they join our school which is why we focus a lot of time and attention on reading in the Early Years.   We start teaching phonics in Nursery and Reception and follow the Read Write Inc programme which ensures children build on their growing knowledge of the alphabetic code and mastering phonics.

Alongside this, children are taught ‘red words’ – high frequency words that do not follow the regular phonetic pattern.  Once children have mastered the phonics programme and completed the assessments they move on to developing comprehension skills.

FOR MORE INFORMATION PLEASESEE OUR PHONICS PAGE or speak to our early reading lead Miss Crook.

 

 

 

Reading for Pleasure

Reading for pleasure is about choosing to spend time reading. Reading lessons are just one way which we share a love of books with the children. In addition to this we create opportunities for children to develop their own reading preferences and find their own favourite authors and literature.  Children are encouraged to share their enjoyment of books and recommend texts to each other. They are read to each day from a shared text chosen together and have a range of books in class or year group reading areas which they can access daily. We work with children to help them, particularly reluctant readers, to find books and authors they love.  We also celebrate our love of reading through author visits, World Book Day, visits to the library and by creating inviting and interactive reading areas throughout the school. Our new school library will open in Autumn 2

 

 

Assessment

We assess Reading in a variety of ways.  This includes, but is not limited to:

• Hearing children read aloud, quizzes, retrieval practice, oral and written responses
• NFER/NGRT reading tests and Read Write INC  assessment materials.

 

We follow Read into Writing as our English curriculum. This exposes the children to a wide range of quality texts spanning different genres and times. Modern and classic texts are included.

(see attached document at the bottom of the page to see the range of texts)

Children also read widely to support their learning as part of the wider curriculum

 

Planning Reading Lessons in Key Stage 2

At Brookfield Primary Academy, reading is at the heart of our curriculum. KS2 teachers plan reading lessons that inspire a love of literature while systematically developing fluency, comprehension, and vocabulary. Effective reading lessons are purposeful, engaging, and built on clear progression in skills and understanding.

1. Start with clear intent

Every reading lesson should have a clear focus. Teachers identify the specific reading domain or skill (e.g. inference, prediction, retrieval, vocabulary, summarising) that pupils are working towards, ensuring lessons build cumulatively over time.
Texts are carefully selected to be challenging, diverse and rich, exposing pupils to new language, ideas and perspectives that broaden their understanding of the world.

2. Use high-quality, well-structured texts

Teachers plan from a range of high-quality fiction, non-fiction and poetry, linked where possible to wider curriculum themes. Texts should:

• Be slightly above pupils’ independent reading level to promote growth.

• Include opportunities to explore authorial intent, language choices and structure.

• Represent a variety of voices, cultures and experiences.

3. Explicit teaching of reading skills

Teachers explicitly model how skilled readers make meaning from text.
This includes:

• Teacher modelling (thinking aloud, demonstrating how to infer, retrieve or summarise).

• Guided and shared reading where pupils practise strategies together.

• Independent and partner practice to consolidate skills.

Each lesson should balance word reading fluency, vocabulary development, and comprehension.

4. Vocabulary and background knowledge

Understanding grows when pupils have access to rich, contextualised vocabulary. Teachers pre-teach or explore tier 2 and tier 3 vocabulary, using discussion, visuals, and contextual examples. Building background knowledge before reading ensures all pupils can access and engage with the text.

5. Questioning and discussion

High-quality questioning drives deep thinking. Teachers plan layered questions that move from retrieval to higher-order skills such as inference, evaluation, and justification.
Discussion should be inclusive — giving every child a voice through pair talk, group tasks, and scaffolded sentence stems.

6. Reading fluency

Fluency is developed through repeated reading, echo reading and performance reading, with a focus on expression, phrasing and accuracy. Teachers plan opportunities to assess and support fluency throughout KS2, especially for pupils still developing decoding confidence.

7. Assessment and adaptation

Teachers use ongoing assessment to identify gaps in comprehension or fluency and adjust teaching accordingly. Short, focused tasks, verbal responses and comprehension questions help gauge understanding and inform next steps.

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In summary

Reading lessons at Brookfield are carefully planned, language-rich and inclusive. They combine explicit skills teaching with meaningful engagement in quality texts. Through this approach, pupils develop as fluent, confident and reflective readers who are ready to Achieve, Belong and Thrive both within school and beyond.

 Reading For Pleasure

Each classroom has a welcoming reading area with a wide range of quality books that the children can choose to read at school and at home.

We are also in the process of developing a whole school library aimed and encouraging reading for pleasure, sharing stories and a love of books.

PLEASE LOOK OUT FOR UPDATES/DETAILS on here and our Facebook site

 

Home School Reading

Home school links are very important in reading. When teachers and support staff listen to pupils read, this is recorded in their planners. We encourage parents/carers to listen to their child read regularly at home. We aim for every child to read at least 4 times a week at home. This will be acknowledged by teachers on a weekly basis.

 Each week your child will take home –

• One reading book from the book band  to read to their parents/ carers.
• One ‘reading for pleasure’ book for their parents/ carers to read to/with them to develop a love of reading

Reading Awards

Class Dojos are given every week for children who have achieved the school reading target of 4 reads at home.

There will also be a special badge given each week to two of these children per class (chosen randomly).

Reading for pleasure

At our school we want our children to love reading. Our class teachers choose exciting and engaging texts for their learning that will excite the children.

Each classroom has an inviting reading corner, where children are able to spend time reading, choosing books and sharing the texts that they have enjoyed. The bookshelves in each classroom are filled with up-to-date, age-appropriate and engaging texts that cater to the children’s wide range of interests. 

Children will also be able to take home one of these books on a weekly basis to read and share with you at home.

 

Hearing Your Child Read at home

"Children who read for pleasure daily, or nearly every day, are a year ahead in reading performance versus those who never do." OECD (2010)

The most effective thing you can do with your child, to help them with their learning, is to read with them. Reading regularly is vital for children’s development. Children don’t only progress as readers, writers, and communicators, but gain a deeper understanding of the wider curriculum. That’s why reading with your child is one of the best things you can do to help them with their learning.

 

Mystery Reader

In Foundation Stage & Key stage 1 you will have the opportunity to participate in ‘Mystery Readers’. In Key stage 2 we will be inviting members of the community and other staff in school to share stories.

On specific days we will invite parents, grandparents, siblings, aunties, uncles etc. to bring in and read their favourite book to a class. Children love when their family members are the ‘Mystery Reader’ and all children benefit from an adult sharing their love of reading.

Because this is a mystery, all information must be kept TOP SECRET from your child, including the date you are coming and the book you will be reading. A week before you are scheduled to come in, you will be sent home a letter asking for five clues about yourself. These clues will be read to the class before your arrival to build suspense and keep the children guessing about who our mystery reader will be!

Your child’s teacher will have the Mystery Reader sign-up sheet in a morning with available dates. Please speak to your child’s class Teacher if you would like to sign up.

 

Family Reading Mornings

On the last Friday of every month we invite you in from 8:20 (EYFS/KS1) 8.25 (KS2)am to share books with your child.

This is from FS1 to Y6.

 

Boggledy Books

We have Boggledy Books visit us during the year. All children and parents are welcome to view and buy the books. All books at £1 £2 & £3 and for every 5 books bought school will get a free book for school.

This year the dates are:

Thursday 16th October 2025

Thursday 26th March 2026

There will also be a date confirmed for July.

 

 

IMPACT

Reading at Brookfield:

• Equips children for life
• Creates lasting memories and brings the whole school community together
• Supports the well-being of our children, by providing relaxing opportunities to enjoy stories
• Enables access to a broad and balanced curriculum
• Enables our children to achieve above national expectations

 

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If you have any questions regarding our Reading Curriculum please contact Mrs Pounder our Reading Lead  elizabeth.pounder@brookfieldjunioracademy.org