Reading
At Joseph Hood Primary School, we believe that reading is at the heart of learning. Children have the opportunity to explore high-quality fiction, non-fiction and poetry texts, through daily guided reading sessions. We want every child to see themselves as a reader, to enjoy books, and to recognise the power that reading has to open up new worlds, ideas and opportunities.
Our Vision
Reading is not just a skill – it is a gateway to success in all areas of the curriculum and in life. We are committed to ensuring that every child leaves Joseph Hood Primary School as a confident, fluent reader who reads for both purpose and pleasure. We value the role that stories, poems and non-fiction texts play in shaping children’s understanding of themselves, others and the wider world.
We are also committed to exposing children to a wide range of voices and perspectives. Our reading curriculum includes books written by authors of different cultures, ethnicities, backgrounds and genders. We believe this is vital in helping children to see themselves represented in what they read, as well as opening their eyes to experiences and viewpoints that may be different from their own.
We work in partnership with families to foster a culture of reading at home as well as at school, believing that children who read regularly are more articulate, more confident and better equipped to thrive academically, socially and emotionally.
How we INSPIRE in Reading
Inclusive
Reading at Joseph Hood is designed so that every child can access and enjoy books. We provide carefully chosen texts and tailored support so that all pupils – regardless of ability, background or experience – can develop as confident, fluent readers.
Nurturing
Our Reading curriculum nurtures curiosity, imagination and self-belief. Children are encouraged to explore new genres, grow in resilience when faced with challenge, and take pride in their progress as readers.
Success
We celebrate pupils’ successes, big and small – from mastering phonics to finishing a challenging novel. Step by step, children gain the skills, stamina and confidence to read a wide range of texts for pleasure and purpose.
Perseverance
Reading requires focus and determination. Whether decoding tricky words, tackling demanding texts or exploring new vocabulary, children learn that effort and persistence are key to becoming lifelong readers.
Imagination
Books spark imagination and creativity. Through stories, poems and non-fiction, pupils are encouraged to think deeply, make connections and discover new worlds beyond the classroom.
Respect
Reading fosters respect – for different voices, cultures and perspectives. Our curriculum exposes pupils to diverse texts that help them understand and value experiences beyond their own.
Encourage
We encourage pupils to develop a love of reading that extends beyond school. Children are inspired to read at home, share books with their families and friends, and see themselves as lifelong readers who learn, imagine and grow through books.
Our Intent
We intend for every child at Joseph Hood Primary School to develop fluency, accuracy and confidence in reading, while understanding and enjoying a wide range of texts including fiction, non-fiction and poetry. Our aim is for children to build strong comprehension skills that help them read beyond the words on the page, making inferences and exploring deeper meanings. Through exposure to rich and varied language, they will develop a broad vocabulary to use confidently in both speech and writing. Above all, we want our pupils to see reading as a source of enjoyment, imagination, knowledge and discovery, and to be fully prepared for the next stage of their education with the reading skills they need to succeed.
Year 1 Texts
Year 2 Texts
Year 3 Texts
Year 4 Texts
Year 5 Texts
Year 6 Texts
