Squirrel Hayes First School, Staffordshire
“Children learn to read as soon as they enter the school. Staff are skilled at supporting pupils who need extra help with their reading. This means that most pupils are able to read fluently and accurately by the time they leave key stage 1. Pupils enjoy being read to by their teachers. This adds to pupils’ enjoyment of reading. […] Pupils with SEND receive high-quality support to access the same learning as their peers.”
School Inspection: Good
Previous Inspection: Good
Davyhulme Primary School, Manchester
“Staff deliver the phonics programme consistently. Children in the Reception Year quickly learn the sounds that letters represent. Staff provide additional support for pupils who struggle with reading. This helps these pupils to catch up quickly. The books that pupils read closely match the sounds that they have already learned. This supports them to become confident, fluent readers by the end of Year 2.”
School Inspection: Outstanding
Previous Inspection: Outstanding
St Sebastian’s RC Primary School, Manchester
“Staff deliver daily phonics sessions with expertise. Children in the early years benefit from daily story times that include songs and rhymes. This supports them to develop their communication skills and their awareness of sounds. Pupils access a wide range of books, and they have daily opportunities to practise reading the sounds that they are learning.”
School Inspection: Good
Previous Inspection: Good
St John’s Primary School, Dorset
“A love of reading is visible across the school. Children learn routines quickly and start learning phonics straight away. They understand how to blend sounds together to read simple words. Staff have the expertise to deliver phonics effectively. They ensure that the books pupils read match the sounds they are learning. They check for any gaps in pupils’ reading knowledge. If pupils fall behind, they receive the support they need to help them catch up quickly.”
School Inspection: Good
Previous Inspection: Good
De Lacy Primary School, West Yorkshire
“Reading is of the utmost importance. Leaders build the curriculum around core texts. Staff deliver the phonics programme consistently well. Teachers are well trained experts in teaching early reading. Pupils learn to read quickly. They enjoy reading. They are excited about the opportunity to win books from the school’s reading vending machine.”
School Inspection: Outstanding
Previous Inspection: Requires Improvement
Hall Road Academy, Hull
“Reading is a school priority. Hearing and retelling stories starts in early years. Children learn phonics as soon as they begin school. Skilled staff expertly deliver the phonics programme. Any pupils that need extra help get this from trained staff. This helps them to catch up. Books match the sounds pupils know.”
School Inspection: Good
Previous Inspection: Good
Frogmore Junior School, Surrey
“Reading is a priority across the school. The school has identified high-quality children’s literature for pupils to read and study. These carefully chosen texts reflect the school’s commitment to diversity and inclusion. The school has a well-established phonics programme. This helps pupils who join the school still at the early stages of reading very effectively. Pupils benefit from daily phonics lessons and expert tutoring, which helps them catch up.”
School Inspection: Good
Previous Inspection: Good
Childer Thornton Primary School, Cheshire
“Skilled staff deliver the phonics programme consistently well. Those pupils who need to catch up with their phonics knowledge receive frequent, expert support. Children in the early years benefit from meaningful and regular opportunities to read with older pupils who have been trained in the school’s phonics approach. Older pupils delight in the progress made by their younger schoolmates. Leaders foster a love of reading across the school community.”
School Inspection: Outstanding
Previous Inspection: Outstanding
North Mead Primary Academy, Leicestershire
“The school prioritises reading. Those who are learning to read swiftly receive the help they need. Extra phonics sessions are in place, which helps some pupils keep up with the phonics programme and succeed. Reading books are matched effectively to the sounds that pupils are learning. Pupils become confident, fluent readers.”
School Inspection: Good
Previous Inspection: Good
South Witham Academy, Lincolnshire
“The school ensures that staff have the knowledge to deliver the school’s early reading programme. Staff make regular checks on how well pupils learn to read. This helps them to support pupils who may need help to keep up. As a result, pupils are quick to learn to read. From organising author visits to hosting ‘book-nics’, the school ensures that reading is at the heart of their work. Pupils enjoy reading and they understand its value. For example, one pupil said, ‘I need to be good at reading for the job I want to do’.”
School Inspection: Requires Improvement
Previous Inspection: Good