“Reading for pleasure is more important for children’s cognitive development than their parents’ level of education and is a more powerful factor in life achievement than socio-economic background”
(Sullivan & Brown, 2013)
“The more you read, the more things you will know. the more you learn, the more places you will go”
(Dr Seuss)
At Broadfield Academy,
we see reading as an integral part of the school curriculum that impacts on all
learning. We value the importance of being a confident reader and work hard to
develop children’s reading skills. We try to encourage a love for reading by
integrating reading into cross-curricular topics.
Reading is taught in a
variety of ways:
One-to-one
reading with an adult
Shared
reading
Guided
reading
Independent
reading
The children are
encouraged to decode words and read fluently and with expression.
During Reading lessons, children
are encouraged to discuss, pose questions, analyse texts, give reasons and
develop their vocabulary. The children are encouraged to use phonics for
blending as the main strategy for decoding unknown words.
In each classroom, there is a book corner, which contains books of interest to the children and the topics they are studying. There is a school library, which contains a wide variety of fiction and non-fiction books. Our aim is that the children should be able to read these books with at least 95% accuracy. This means children can enjoy reading without frustration and read with pleasure!
Independent Reading Books
Our main reading scheme is Bug Club. We supplement this with OxfordReading Tree, Rigby Star and Song Birds. All of these books are banded according to ability levels. Children change their independent reading books regularly and these are carefully matched to their ability. Teachers carefully monitor the changing of books to ensure they are on track and can enjoy their book independently.
Early Reading
At Broadfield Academy, is is our mission to ensure Reading is at the centre of learning at home and at school. We are determined that every child will be given the best possible opportunity to learn to read, regardless of their background, needs or abilities. We begin this journey in Early Years and introduce our pupils to a wide range of stories, poems, rhymes and non-fiction texts. In Early Years, we begin the sequential learning of Reading which follow children through to Year 6 and beyond, preparing them for their future school career and life.
Becoming a Fluent Reader in Early Years
At Broadfield Academy, systematic synthetic Phonics is taught. Throughout Reception, Year 1 and Year 2, Letters and Sounds in conjunction with Phonics Play and Bug Club Phonics is used to teach Phonics. When needed, the Letters and Sounds Phase 1 is followed in Nursery to promote the appropriate speaking and listening skills. In order to ensure Phonics is accessed by all children, kinaesthetic and multi-sensory strategies are used to engage learners, e.g. song, sensory, rhyme and formation. Our Phonics programme matches the expectations set by the National Curriculum.
The Environment
The indoor and outdoor provision caters for all areas of learning and within these. Reading is promoted. Opportunities for Phonics and Reading development are readily available, e.g. topic books linked to the activity, sensory writing, literacy resources and engaging and interactive displays. Each classroom is rich with texts to promote a genuine interest in Reading.
Developing a Love for Reading in Early Years
In Early Years at Broadfield, we develop enjoyment for Reading and promote this in the following way:
Reading Cafe:
An opportunity for parents to join us in the morning to listen to and share stories.
Book Fair:
We have a Book fair every year and children are exposed to new books and are able to purchase them.
Read with Me – Parent Volunteers:
Parents are invited into the classroom to read with / listen to children read.
Book Corners:
A cosey book corner space is in every classroom for children to use and read comfortably in.
Library:
A dedicated library is available in both KS1 and KS2 for children to engage in books and for teachers to promote Reading in a suitable environment.
Meetings with Parents:
Parents can make an appointment to discuss their child’s development at anytime in addition to formal parent consultations.
Phonics
Letters and Sounds, a DfE publication, is our main resource for teaching Phonics. We use this in conjunction with an online resources called, Phonics Play and Bug Club Phonics.
Phonics is taught in a daily
discrete lesson of 20 minute sessions, with each lesson split into 4 parts:
revisit / revise (previous learning)
teach (new GPC or tricky word)
practise (differentiated activity)
apply (read or write sentences or text)
Children are taught in class groups. In Year 2, children who did not meet the standard in the Year 1 Phonics Screening Check have extra Phonics interventions.
Recommended Reading Books
The following book lists are provided to parents as a guide to the range of books we recommend children should read in each year group. Please see below for a list of recommended reading books.
As you are aware, there has been much speculation in the news relating to possible school closures and delaying the start of term for pupils. You may also be aware that unions have advised teachers to exercise their right to work remotely via a Section 44 letter on the grounds of health and safety at work. The Government have put Headteachers in a very difficult situation. Whilst we understand last minute decisions are not ideal, we are doing our very best to update you as soon as information is available to us.
I can confirm Broadfield Academy will now provide education ...
Broadfield Academy will be moving to remote learning from Tuesday 5th January 2021. Communication has been sent out to all parents via the school gateway.
Please be aware that the last day of term is Friday 18th December at 1:30pm. Due to the timing of the most recent announcement from the DfE, we do not feel that there is appropriate notice for children and parents to end the term early.
This coming week sees parents evening for the following year groups: Nursery, Reception, Year 1, Year 3, Year 4 and Year 5.
Year 2 and Year 6 will have their parents evening week commencing 23rd November 2020.
SEND ADPR’s will take place during parents evening and slots have been pre-booked and you should have received your link by email. All other parents slots can be booked via the school parents evening system, links were sent out by email.
To mark Remembrance Day, children will be completing Remembrance activities in class. This year due to the pandemic, we will not be gathering as a school. However, we will of course be taking part in a 2-minute silence.
Children can come to school wearing their Scouts, Guides, Brownies, Rainbows, or equivalent uniform on Remembrance Day.
If your child has PE on the same day, and they would normally come to school wearing one of the above uniforms, they should wear their PE kit. We know this is not ideal. However, we do have to limit the amount of changing in school for ...
We are currently experiencing a technical problem with the new School Cloud booking system, we are hoping to have this up and running by Monday. We will send communication once the issue has been sorted. Thank you for your support and understanding.
On Friday 13th November 2020, Broadfield Academy will be supporting the Children in Need appeal. This year is very special because it marks their 40th year!
Children in Need is a charity with a special mission. They help ensure every child in the UK is safe, happy, secure and has the opportunities they need to reach their potential.
They raise money both throughout the year and in November. They fund local charities and projects who help remove the barriers that are facing children and young people, so that they can thrive.
Broadfield Academy Arrangements:
Every year, we ask children to come to school wearing their pyjamas, ...
As you are all aware, the DfE published new guidance yesterday in-line with our national lockdown. I have outlined a few changes below.
Face Coverings:
From tomorrow – Friday 6th November, our expectation is that parents will be required to wear face coverings when they are dropping and collecting their children from school. This is in-line with other schools and expectations outside of school, e.g. shopping etc. However, it is not mandatory, but we do expect all parents to wear face coverings from tomorrow.
Breakfast & After-School Clubs:
Breakfast Club will run a s normal. Parents must wear a face covering when dropping their ...
