St Hilda’s Church of England Primary School, Prestwich, Lancashire
“The teaching of reading is central to the school. From the early years, there is a sharp focus on ensuring that pupils learn to read well. Staff are well trained to teach phonics. They follow the school’s phonics programme meticulously. […] This helps to make them confident, fluent readers. Older pupils show a love of reading. They talk about different books which they have studied in class, including classics and books to develop their understanding of diversity.”
School Inspection: Good
Previous Inspection: Good
Northway Infant School, Ashchurch, Gloucestershire
“The school prioritises reading. […] Phonics is taught with careful precision and enthusiasm by staff. Pupils confidently apply their phonics knowledge when reading. […] Pupils develop a love of reading from the start.”
School Inspection: Outstanding
Previous Inspection: Outstanding
Minehead First School, Minehead, Somerset
“The school prioritises early reading. Children in the early years get off to a great start. […] They read books that match the sounds they know, which enables them to practise becoming accurate and fluent readers.”
School Inspection: Good
Previous Inspection: Requires Improvement
The Oak View Academy, Winsford, Cheshire
“Reading is at the heart of the curriculum. The school ensures that pupils read a broad range of books during lessons and individual reading time. […] The phonics programme is delivered effectively by skilled staff. Pupils read from books that contain the sounds that they have already learned. The school provides additional practice for pupils who need it.”
School Inspection: Good
Previous Inspection: Good
Roade Primary School, Roade, Northamptonshire
“The school prioritises reading. Staff are all trained to deliver the systematic phonics programme. Staff use consistent methods to model to pupils how to blend sounds together to decode new words. Extra help is in place, if needed, to support some pupils to keep up with the phonics programme.”
School Inspection: Good
Previous Inspection: Good
Millstead School, Liverpool, Merseyside
“A passion for literature and a culture for reading are apparent throughout the school. […] Well-trained staff deliver the phonics curriculum skilfully. Pupils learn phonics in a systematic way, with plenty of opportunities for them to repeat their learning. This helps pupils to remember their phonics, which in turn supports their early reading.”
School Inspection: Outstanding
Previous Inspection: Outstanding
Abbey Catholic Primary School, Birmingham, West Midlands
“Pupils benefit from high-quality phonics lessons taught by expert staff. […] pupils achieve exceedingly well in phonics lessons. A genuine love of reading and books is evident across the school. Pupils talk with joy about a wide range of different texts that they have read.”
School Inspection: Good
Previous Inspection: Good
Flanderwell Primary School, Rotherham, South Yorkshire
“The school prioritises reading. Children begin learning phonics from the moment they start in the Reception class. The school ensures that staff have the knowledge and
expertise to teach the phonics curriculum well. Pupils, including those with SEND, progress successfully through the phonics programme, confidently applying their phonics knowledge when they write.”
School Inspection: Outstanding
Previous Inspection: Outstanding
Priestmead Primary School and Nursery, Harrow, London
“Staff receive excellent training to deliver the phonics programme expertly. Pupils therefore learn the sounds that letters make securely. There is a comprehensive catch-up programme to ensure that all pupils become fluent readers. The school ensures that pupils are exposed to a diverse range of books during their time at the school, including modern classics and Shakespearean sonnets.”
School Inspection: Outstanding
Previous Inspection: Outstanding
All Souls C of E Primary School, Heywood, Lancashire
“A love of reading permeates the school. […] Staff have a strong understanding of the early reading curriculum, and they deliver the phonics programme with considerable flair and expertise.”
School Inspection: Outstanding
Previous Inspection: Outstanding