Reading at Parochial
'Parochial Cares', our mission is to prepare children for the future by living, learning and growing together in God.
To live life... life in all its fullness (John 10:10)
Reading curriculum handbook available upon request:
Vision:
At Parochial, we believe in power of reading to inspire, educate, and empower children. Our approach to reading and phonics is designed to cultivate literacy and a deep love for literature. Through a structured progression from phonics to comprehension we help pupils grow emotionally, socially, and intellectually. By the time they leave us, our pupils are confident readers with the skills and desire to continue exploring the world through literature.
Implementation:
At Parochial, we deliver a comprehensive and inclusive reading curriculum that aligns with our school’s values. This journey starts with Read Write Inc. Phonics and continues through Read Write Inc. Comprehension, and Pathways to Read from Year 2 upwards.
Educating for Knowledge, Skills, and Wisdom
Our systematic teaching of phonics begins with the Read Write Inc. Phonics programme in EYFS and Key Stage 1. This structured approach helps children decode words quickly and read fluently, laying a solid foundation for future learning. By engaging with texts, children are provided with a rich array of vocabulary, comprehension strategies, and opportunities for discussion, enabling them to become confident, independent readers.
As pupils move into Year 2, Read Write Inc. Comprehension builds on these early skills, deepening their ability to understand, question, and analyse texts. This transition from phonics to comprehension prepares children for the more advanced reading strategies introduced in Pathways to Read, where critical thinking, inference, and deeper text analysis are central to learning.
Educating for Hope and Aspiration
Our reading curriculum encourages children to see books as opportunities to learn about the world and its possibilities. From an early age, through the Read Write Inc. programmes, pupils are introduced to a wide range of stories that inspire hope and aspiration. By engaging with texts that highlight diverse experiences, characters, and settings, children learn to set high aspirations for themselves. As they progress into Pathways to Read, they encounter more challenging texts that continue to stretch their understanding, encouraging them to think deeply about the world and their place within it.
Educating for Community and Living Well Together
Reading at Parochial is a communal experience. Through Read Write Inc., pupils engage in partner reading, learning to collaborate and provide constructive feedback to peers, encouraging a sense of shared learning. This continues in Pathways to Read, where discussion and group analysis are central to exploring the richness of texts. Our communal reading events and class story times promote a shared love for literature that strengthens bonds across the school community.
Educating for Dignity and Respect
Books provide children with a wealth of experiences that allow them to develop emotional intelligence and a deeper understanding of themselves and others. Through both Read Write Inc. Comprehension and Pathways to Read, our pupils are introduced to texts that explore complex themes such as dignity, respect, and empathy. These stories encourage children to reflect on how characters navigate challenges, helping them develop compassion and respect for others in their own lives.
At Parochial, we recognise that books act as windows, allowing pupils to view the wider world, as mirrors, reflecting their own experiences, and as doors, offering transformative experiences that change their perspectives. Through this lens, reading enables children to understand their own emotions, connect with others, and gain insight into different cultures and viewpoints, encouraging a respectful and empathetic approach to life.
Impact
Through our structured approach to reading and phonics, pupils leave Key Stage 1 as fluent, confident readers. By the time they finish at Parochial, they are skilled in word reading and comprehension, with the ability to appreciate and engage with a variety of genres. More than just reading for information, our pupils develop a deep love for literature, using books to understand the world, themselves, and their role within it. Reading is not only a tool for learning but also a lifelong source of enjoyment and personal growth.