As well as being taught how to read, we read as a class. This takes place at the end of each day. It is part of our Mayflower tradition to value reading together and to read at pace. Pupils know that the end of day class text signals a calm handover time to parents. It's also a chance to relax into a novel during what has become a consistent and predictable routine for all. Teachers use a range of evidence informed reading strategies to engage all pupils in reading. Checking for understanding, reading aloud (at pace), exploring new vocabulary and unpicking plot and character characteristics, all play a part of these calm but engaging whole class reading sessions. Pupils track the text with their finger and often take a part in adding expression and performance to the end of day experience.

'Reading texts to children that they are not ready to access independently exposes them to language they can own'.

Centre of Literacy in Primary Education

Every day in our Early Years Foundation Stage and within our Year 1 Classes, the teacher reads from a range of carefully selected high quality and interesting texts. These include a range of genres and new titles. Years 2 to 6 read at least a novel every term. This means that all pupils will have exposure to and read a significant number of high quality novels.