At Woodlands Academy, we believe that becoming a capable and fluent reader is about confidence, consistency and purpose. Once pupils have secure foundations in early reading, we focus on developing fluency, understanding and enjoyment so that reading becomes a tool for learning across the curriculum.
We support pupils to read accurately, smoothly and with increasing expression, helping them develop stamina and confidence when tackling longer or more challenging texts. Regular opportunities to read aloud, read independently and read with adults allow pupils to practise skills in a supportive and encouraging environment.
A strong emphasis is placed on reading comprehension. Pupils are taught how to retrieve information, make inferences, explain ideas, predict outcomes and summarise meaning. Through guided discussions and structured questioning, pupils learn to think deeply about what they read and to justify their ideas using evidence from the text.
Vocabulary development remains a key priority for fluent readers. We explicitly teach new and ambitious language, explore word meanings in context and encourage pupils to use new vocabulary in their spoken and written work. This helps pupils access more complex texts and express their ideas with greater clarity and precision.
Reading at Woodlands Academy is purposeful and meaningful. Texts are carefully chosen to engage pupils, reflect their interests and broaden their understanding of the world. By building positive reading habits and promoting reading for pleasure, we help pupils see themselves as readers – not just in lessons, but for life.
Through high expectations, targeted support and a strong reading culture, we enable pupils to become capable, fluent and confident readers who are ready to succeed across all areas of learning.
