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
Iqra Primary Academy, Bradford, West Yorkshire
“The school has made sure that books and reading are ever-present for pupils. Staff in the early years read books to children with energy and enthusiasm. Children join in and complete rhymes to help with their vocabulary. Children are also taught how to read sounds in words through the phonics programme.”
School Inspection: Good
Previous Inspection: N/A
Catherine Junior School, Leicester, Leicestershire
“Leaders have prioritised reading. The school supports pupils who are at an early stage of reading by providing targeted phonics teaching. Trained staff enable pupils to gain the knowledge, skills and confidence they need to become fluent readers.”
School Inspection: Good
Previous Inspection: Good
Tor Bridge Primary School, Plymouth, Devon
“Children are immersed in reading as soon as they join the school. Pupils follow a well-designed phonics curriculum, which is taught precisely. If they require additional support, this is recognised quickly. Staff then take swift action to help pupils to catch up.”
School Inspection: Outstanding
Previous Inspection: N/A
Field Lane Primary School, Brighouse, West Yorkshire
“Pupils are well supported to develop a genuine love for reading as soon as they start school. Leaders provide staff with the training they need to implement the phonics programme consistently and with precision. They check regularly that pupils are keeping up. Those at risk of falling behind are supported to catch up quickly.”
School Inspection: Good
Previous Inspection: Requires Improvement
Jerry Clay Academy, Wakefield, West Yorkshire
“All adults are experts at teaching early reading. Pupils as young as Year 1 understand grammatical terminology, such as prefix and suffix.
Typically, all pupils pass the Year 1 phonics screening check each year.”
School Inspection: Outstanding
Previous Inspection: Outstanding
St Matthew’s Church of England Primary School, Oldham, Greater Manchester
“The school has successfully introduced a
new phonics programme. Staff are well trained to deliver this programme effectively. […] Skilled support from staff ensures that pupils who find reading difficult, including
older pupils in key stage 2, catch up with their peers. The school ensures that parents
know how to continue this support at home…”
School Inspection: Good
Previous Inspection: Good
Minet Infant and Nursery School, Hayes, London
“A strong culture of reading is evident across the school. Early reading is prioritised right from the start using a systematic phonics programme. The school ensures that there is regular training in phonics for all staff to ensure consistency in how reading is taught.”
School Inspection: Good
Previous Inspection: Good
Aboyne Lodge Junior Mixed and Infant School, St Albans, Hertfordshire
“The school worked at pace to put in place a rigorous phonics programme. There is bespoke training for staff. This focuses on the elements that pupils need in order to progress to the next stage of the programme. If they do fall behind, pupils receive timely and effective help. Pupils regularly revise the sounds they need to learn. This systematic approach helps them to become confident and fluent readers.”
School Inspection: Good
Previous Inspection: Good
Viscount Beaumont’s Church of England Primary School, Coalville, Leicestershire
“Teaching pupils to read sits at the heart of the curriculum. The school’s reading curriculum is well planned and sequenced. Staff have been well trained to teach phonics.”
School Inspection: Good
Previous Inspection: Good