Penn Wood Primary and Nursery School, Berkshire

“Reading is prioritised. Books that help pupils learn to read are matched closely to the sounds that pupils have learned. […] The school’s thoughtful reading curriculum helps pupils to develop a love of books and
literature. Pupils learn to read confidently and fluently.”
School Inspection: Outstanding in all areas
Previous Inspection: Good

Grove Lea Primary School, West Yorkshire

“Phonics is a strength of the school. Leaders have established a rigorous approach that is implemented with precision. Staff are well trained and demonstrate strong subject knowledge. They deliver lessons with clarity, ensuring pupils quickly develop secure phonics skills. The school frequently checks pupils’ learning. Staff use this information to address misconceptions promptly. The high expectations and relentless focus on early reading ensure that pupils successfully become confident and fluent readers.”

School Inspection: Outstanding in all areas
Previous Inspection: Outstanding

Humberston Park School, North East Lincolnshire

“Many pupils are at the very early stages of learning to read. Staff read to pupils regularly. Pupils develop a love of reading. They particularly enjoy the daily story time sessions. The school has a well-equipped library. Pupils relish opportunities to explore reading through structured sensory play. When ready, pupils learn to read using phonics. Staff teach this with precision. They adapt the phonics programme to support pupils who are nonverbal with reading when necessary.”
School Inspection: Outstanding in all areas
Previous Inspection: Outstanding

Jacobstow Community Academy, Cornwall

“Reading for pleasure is a top priority for the school. Inviting libraries, class readers and interesting books across the curriculum help pupils to enjoy reading. As soon as children start in the Reception Year, they successfully learn the sounds that letters make. Pupils who find this difficult receive timely and effective support. As a result, pupils read with confidence, fluency and accuracy. This helps them to read widely across the curriculum. Children in the nursery and Reception class delight in reading with staff in their reading. Older pupils also enjoy reading with children in the Nursery and Reception Year, as well as with their peers. ”
School Inspection: Good in all areas
Previous Inspection: Not previously inspected.

Rickmansworth Park Junior Mixed and Infant School, Hertfordshire

“Reading is a real strength across the school. Pupils are highly enthusiastic readers and enjoy regular author visits, book fairs and reading buddy sessions. The school has partnered with a local bookshop to ensure classrooms are stocked with high-quality books. In Reception and Year 1, pupils receive carefully targeted phonics teaching. Pupils who need extra help, including those new to speaking English, receive personalised support to help them catch up quickly.”
School Inspection: Outstanding in all areas
Previous Inspection: Good

St Joseph’s Catholic Primary School, Buckinghamshire

“Children get off to a flying start with reading as soon as they join the school. The school makes regular checks on pupils’ reading. This helps staff to provide timely support. The books pupils read are carefully matched to the sounds they have learned.”
Previous Inspection: Good

Naseby Church of England Primary Academy, Northampton

There is a vibrant reading culture at the school. Pupils often choose to read in their own time. Children begin learning to read the moment they start in the early years. Staff teach the school’s phonics programme well. Pupils learn to read accurately and fluently from a young age. The school checks closely on pupils’ progress in reading. It provides appropriate support for any pupil who falls behind. Through skilful questioning, staff guide pupils to think deeply about what they read. Older pupils make insightful comparisons between different texts. There is a keen focus on vocabulary development across the school. Staff take time to explore the meaning of new words with pupils. Pupils use this language to explain their thinking precisely.
School Inspection: Good in all areas but outstanding in behaviour and attitudes
Previous Inspection: Good

Timbertree Academy, West Midlands

“Pupils enjoy reading. It is a high priority in school. Staff are determined that every pupil will become a fluent reader. There is a rigorous approach to the teaching of reading, including phonics. This has a positive impact on pupils learning to read. Pupils that need more help receive daily support. The school nurtures a love of reading through selected texts that reflect diverse cultures and experiences. The school facilitates older pupils reading with the younger ones. Pupils benefit from structured whole-class reading sessions.”
School Inspection: Outstanding in all areas
Previous Inspection: Good

Bottesford Infant School, Lincolnshire

“The school celebrates and promotes a love of reading brilliantly. Pupils speak about their favourite books and authors with real enthusiasm. As a result of the school’s highly effective phonics programme, pupils learn the sounds that letters make quickly and become fluent readers.”
School Inspection: Outstanding in all areas
Previous Inspection: Outstanding

Hillingdon Manor School, Middlesex

“Reading is a high priority across the school. Pupils’ reading knowledge is checked on entry to the school and personalised support is put in place. This includes a tailored phonics programme and effective electronic and visual communication strategies. This is taught well. […] Staff select texts skilfully to broaden pupils’ ideas, vocabulary and understanding of diversity. Those who are at the earliest stages of learning to read get the help they need to catch up quickly.”
School Inspection: Good in all areas
Previous Inspection: Good