English 

We believe effective literacy skills open the doors to more educational and employment opportunities. They are key to learning across all subjects in school and a strong predictor of outcomes in later life. Our priority is to create fluent, motivated readers and writers with all the knowledge and skills they need to be confidently literate in life.

The national curriculum for English aims to ensure that all pupils:

•  read easily, fluently and with good understanding
• develop the habit of reading widely and often, for both pleasure and information
• acquire a wide vocabulary, an understanding of grammar and knowledge of linguistic conventions for reading, writing and spoken language
• appreciate our rich and varied literary heritage
• write clearly, accurately and coherently, adapting their language and style in and for a range of contexts, purposes and audiences
• use discussion in order to learn; they should be able to elaborate and explain clearly their understanding and ideas
• are competent in the arts of speaking and listening, making formal presentations, demonstrating to others and participating in debate.

Click here for English National Curriculum document

Phonics 

Phonics in the EYFS and KS1 is taught using Jolly Phonics, which is a DfE approved scheme. A parent guide is available to provide background information, which also suggests ideas that would be suitable to support reading at home. 

Reading

At Henley CE Primary School, we believe that reading is placed at the heart of the curriculum. We place emphasis on the importance of reading and through innovative teaching, create a rigorous and sequential approach to the reading curriculum that supports the development of children’s fluency, confidence and enjoyment. 

Each classroom has a reading area which includes a range of fiction, non-fiction and poetry reading material. We strongly believe that a range of books offer a wealth of reading opportunities and therefore offer access to a wide range of banded reading books. Our goal at Henley C.E. Primary school is to foster the love and enjoyment that a good book can bring.

For more advice on how you can help your child read at home, please watch these videos of Children’s Laureate Julia Donaldson who shares some of her top tips. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1-wud5ndvuE

Click the links below for a mix of classic and contemporary titles, recommended for your child's age. This selection of recommended reads is designed to provide children with a diverse range of literature that will encourage them to become lifelong readers.