By the end of their reading journey at Oak Hill CE Primary, pupils will have developed secure word-reading skills through the systematic teaching of phonics using the Little Wandle Letters and Sounds Revised scheme. This strong foundation will enable pupils to decode confidently, read fluently, and access increasingly complex texts as they progress through the school. Building on these skills, pupils will have engaged fully with the Fluency, Extended, and Close Read approach to develop comprehension, vocabulary, and a love of reading. As a result, they are expected to:

• Read fluently and confidently, applying expression, intonation, and phrasing appropriate to the text.

• Demonstrate strong comprehension skills, showing understanding of vocabulary, inference, and key themes across a range of genres.

• Discuss and evaluate texts thoughtfully, expressing opinions and listening to the views of others with respect and curiosity.

• Make meaningful links between what they read and their own experiences, as well as wider cultural and global contexts.

• Show a genuine enjoyment of reading, choosing to read for pleasure and recognising the value of reading as a lifelong skill.

• Use reading to support learning across the curriculum, drawing on a broad vocabulary and understanding of text structures to access information and ideas.

• Reflect our school vision of Learn, Grow, Flourish by reading with curiosity, empathy, and resilience, developing as independent and motivated readers prepared to “live life in all its fullness.”

Through the teaching of reading, and in keeping with our school vision—Learn, Grow, Flourish—we aim for every child to develop strong roots in the fundamentals of language, including phonics, word reading, vocabulary, comprehension, and fluency. Using the Little Wandle Letters and Sounds Revised programme alongside our Fluency, Extended, and Close Read lessons, children learn to decode, understand, and respond to texts with confidence and enjoyment, building a secure foundation on which to develop their reading skills.

As they grow, pupils gain fluency, stamina, and comprehension across a wide range of texts, from stories and poetry to information texts and cross-curricular reading, applying their understanding thoughtfully across the curriculum. By providing varied and purposeful reading experiences, children flourish as curious, reflective, and independent readers who can interpret, analyse, and discuss texts for meaning and enjoyment. They are encouraged to engage critically with what they read, make connections to their own lives and experiences, flourishing to develop a lifelong love of reading.