Subject Leader: Mrs M Rees

At Kempshott Junior School, we believe that reading is the gateway to learning, personal growth and lifelong opportunity. Our Reading curriculum, informed by the HIAS Reading Comprehension Toolkit, is ambitious, knowledge-rich and carefully sequenced so that all pupils can achieve highly and become confident, articulate and thoughtful individuals. We are committed to ensuring that every child, regardless of background or starting point, is enabled to access a broad and challenging curriculum that supports both academic success and a love of reading.

Our curriculum is designed to ensure that children acquire and retain essential knowledge over time. Learning is carefully planned so that knowledge is introduced incrementally, revisited regularly and secured through purposeful practice. We recognise that pupils know more and remember more when new learning builds securely on prior knowledge. As a result, reading is taught through a coherent sequence that develops fluency, comprehension and interpretative skill in a systematic way. Pupils are supported to draw on existing understanding, make connections and deepen and apply their understanding with increasing independence and precision.

Through the HIAS Reading Comprehension Toolkit, pupils are enabled to develop both substantive knowledge and disciplinary understanding. They learn the rich vocabulary, concepts, themes, structures and conventions needed to comprehend a wide range of texts, alongside the disciplinary skills required to read as a writer, critic and informed reader. Reading is closely linked with writing and spoken language so that pupils can apply key skills meaningfully across the curriculum. Language, reading and writing are prioritised as essential tools for accessing increasingly complex content in all subjects.

Our curriculum ensures that pupils revisit and deepen understanding through repeated exposure to important ideas, texts and reading strategies. This approach strengthens memory, supports retrieval and builds confidence. As pupils encounter complex texts and challenging ideas, they are taught to persevere, reflect and respond thoughtfully. Our reading curriculum is designed to promote curiosity, engagement and a positive attitude towards reading, helping pupils to take pride in their achievements and to see themselves as successful readers.

We also reflect a ‘windows and mirrors’ approach within our reading provision. Pupils encounter texts that both reflect their own experiences and broaden their understanding of lives, perspectives and cultures beyond their own. This helps them to develop empathy, cultural awareness and a deeper appreciation of the world around them.

Inclusive practice is central to our approach. Teaching is responsive and adaptive, with support and challenge carefully tailored so that barriers to learning are removed and all pupils can access an ambitious curriculum. Through high-quality teaching, carefully chosen texts and targeted scaffolding, every pupil is given the opportunity to experience success.

Ultimately, our Reading curriculum ensures that pupils develop secure knowledge, strong academic outcomes and the confidence to thrive at the next stage of education and beyond.

                                           

           Reading overview                                          Reading progression 

Recommended Reads 

                  

 

Useful Links

Whatever your child's age and whatever books they like to read, this is a useful website to help you find something new.	Another great website to support in the finding and choosing of new books.	Sign in using your google log in to access a range of eBooks.	Here you will find the best reads, reviews and recommendations of children's books for children families and teacher to browse.
The next World book day takes place on 2nd March. Don't forget to use your book voucher.	Find out more about Hampshire libraries reading challenge and how to become a member and library events.	A useful website for children to read poems and have their poems published.	Would you like to win a free book to review for us? Just enter a giveaway and follow the instructions.