At Hasmonean we believe that a love of reading and an introduction to the wealth of world literature is the pathway to stimulating each child’s creativity and imagination. We recognise that the pleasure of reading for reading’s sake is a lifelong gift. We understand that cultivating an ability to listen and learn, to think independently and to clearly communicate ideas and opinions both orally and in writing are important milestones in every child’s development.

We know that good readers make good writers. We think that a critical appreciation and understanding of both modern and classic children’s literature can not only inspire children to write but can also develop a child’s vocabulary and their understanding of it.

We provide opportunities to talk, discuss and share ideas and opinions and we strive to cultivate a safe and respectful environment where every child’s views are listened to. We recognise that this type of environment helps children to develop their language and skills to find their own voice, developing the necessary communication skills to equip them for the future.

Children from Reception to Year 6 regularly have the opportunity to read out their work in assemblies and be part of whole school or class productions. Through drama and focused teaching, children are taught to explore situations using improvisation and role- play. This encourages children to empathise with a range of characters. Role-play can be incredibly useful in allowing children to access concepts which might otherwise seem tricky or abstract. We also hold our annual poetry competition where children from Reception to year 6 learn and recite a poem on a chosen topic.

The systematic teaching of phonics has a high priority throughout Foundation Stage and Key Stage 1. We believe that our aims are achievable primarily through high quality, discrete phonics lessons. We follow ‘Bug Club’, a validated phonics scheme, to ensure the delivery of a sequential curriculum. This is combined with frequent opportunities for applying phonics skills in reading and writing across the curriculum. Our children are provided with a variety of opportunities to develop and extend their phonics skills in and across EYFS and Key Stage 1. It will also be continued into Key Stage 2, where necessary, to support those children who need further consolidation. Children take home phonetically decodable ‘Bug Club’ reading books which are carefully chosen to match their current phonics level.

Discrete reading lessons in school are taught weekly linked to the class reading book. In EYFS guided reading sessions are used to target specific needs of both groups and individuals. It is taught in small groups so that children can make good progress, either in their phonics or comprehension.
We promote reading for pleasure through weekly book reviews in assembly, regular use of the school library and attractive areas and displays dedicated to reading in every classroom. To celebrate ‘book week’ every year we have a different reading competition, the children have made their own book report t-shirts, book in a jar and potato book characters, vocabulary parade, as well as attending special reading assemblies. Nursery and reception take home a ‘reading suitcase’ weekly where they snuggle up with a teddy and enjoy a good book from the teacher. Children have the opportunity to attend a reading club twice a week at lunchtimes. Reading ambassadors have been selected from Year 6 to encourage reading in Early years/KS1.

Early writing is taught through early mark making, then when the children begin phonics they are taught the letter formations. This begins with writing (whether with a writing tool or in the air) CVC words, moving onto short sentences using the sounds they have been taught.  The children are encouraged to write independently in continuous provision.

The use of engaging, relevant and high-quality text is central to our writing curriculum. These act as stimuli for children to develop and extend their writing skills. Children write for a range of purposes and we have hand selected appropriate texts for each class. Within these texts children have the opportunity to write for a range of purpose and audience.

Children engage with high- quality picture books, novels, poetry and non-fiction through a wide range of teaching approaches. Children are immersed into the text through music, art, drama, discussion and role play. Children take ownership of the text and engage with it deeply.