Two People Can by Blessing Musariri and Maisie Paradise Shearring
Shingai’s dad doesn’t live with him anymore and he misses him. He feels a jumpiness inside and does wild things. Then, mum starts doing wild things too. They are both sad but begin to realise they can do fun things together. Two people is a good number.
When You Joined Our Family by Harriet Evans and Nia Tudor
Sometimes a child joins a new family. The parents celebrate their new child, keep them safe and take care of them. They learn about each others’ stories and make new traditions together. After all, ‘it is the love in our hearts that binds us together’.
Terrible Horses by Raymond Antrobus and Ken Wilson-Max
A brother and sister do not always get along. In fact, they fight and do not use their words. The boy writes stories about how lonely he feels. His sister reads them and begins to understand her brother. Maybe she feels this way sometimes too?
Halima, Superhero Princess by Emily Hoof and Asa Gilland
When Halima’s friends say she can’t go to a fancy dress party as her favourite person because she doesn’t look like them, she feels sad and small. Her mum reminds her of all the amazing women who look like her. Who will she dress up as? Find out Halima’s great idea!
Ruth’s Updates
As you head towards the half-term break, read about our latest Online Assessment support, find out about upcoming events and see what’s new on the School Portal.
Perfectly Norman by Tom Percival
Norman suddenly grows a pair of wings. At first he loves them, but fear of standing out makes him hide them under a coat which only makes him miserable. As Norman overcomes his fear, he learns that being different is wonderful.
Boney Hay Primary Academy, Staffordshire
“A love of reading is promoted across the school. Attractive libraries, with displays showing which books the teachers are currently reading, encourage pupils to pick up a book. Their reading journey begins in the Reception class, where children benefit from the carefully structured phonics scheme. This is taught consistently well and children achieve well. Those who need help to keep up are supported effectively in additional, targeted, sessions.”
School Inspection: Good
Previous Inspection: Good
John Shelton Community Primary School, Coventry
“Reading is a high priority […] Staff identify those pupils who need more practice. These pupils are given timely support to help them keep up. Pupils read books that match their stage of reading. This helps them practise using their phonics knowledge to become confident, fluent readers. Pupils’ enthusiasm for reading continues as they move through the school.”
School Inspection: Good
Previous Inspection: Good
Ruth’s Updates
In our first newsletter of 2025, read our recommendations, find out about training events and see what’s new on the School Portal.
The Clare School, Norwich
“A small number of pupils learn to read by using phonics. Pupils who follow the schools’ early reading programme learn this extremely well. This is because adults are expert in teaching phonics. They check with care that pupils have a grasp of a particular sound before moving on. Those with visual or hearing impairments learn phonics if they can. This is because staff are adept at making the necessary adaptation to the phonics programme to meet the individual needs of these pupils. Pupils develop a love of books, as they hear a range of stories, rhymes and songs.”
School Inspection: Outstanding
Previous Inspection: Outstanding