At West Witney Primary School & Nursery we believe that children deserve a rich curriculum which encourages extensive reading of whole books and other kinds of texts. We believe that active encouragement of reading for pleasure is a core part of every child’s educational entitlement, whatever their background or attainment because we know that extensive reading and exposure to a wide range of texts make a huge contribution to children’s educational achievement.

We aim to promote the cpncepts of reading for fun, enjoyment and pleasure and we ensure that we include a range of 'real books' within the curriculum for English, as well as the opportunity for sustained reading from a range of other self-chosen fiction and non-fiction texts from classrooms and our school library. Where we are aware that children have little access to good quality books, the school tries to provide compensatory measures which allow equality of access to all children, for example sending extra books home, reading with a volunteer, attending lunch time library club or reading groups.

 

We believe that the staff and adults who work at West Witney must be ‘reading role models’ and we ensure that adults have the chance to share their favourite texts with the children. The professional development of teaching staff as well as allowing time to explore the huge range of printed and electronic reading materials to enable them to support children in their reading choices is paramount and forms a regular part of team and staff meetings.

 

Regular events such as Book at Bedtime and World Book Day are an integral part of making opportunities to read both exciting and appealing for all. Every term, each year group focuses on an author of the term, with the sole purpose of reading for enjoyment. Photos of children ‘caught reading’ the author of the term are shared through displays and on PAConnect.

 

Our library has been designed by our children to provide further reading matter and to instil the habit of visiting a library to encourage reading beyond the classroom and for life. Classrooms also have well-stocked shelves and all members of staff and children are tasked with making these as stimulating and comfortable as possible.

 

We ensure that reading remains a focus for pupils through by investing in a club for librarians, also known as book ambassadors to choose and recommend books. A pupil questionnaire is conducted every two to three years to ensure that our children can also inform us as we develop reading provision at West Witney Primary School & Nursery.

 

Where there are links with authors in our community and further afield, we ensure that we foster them and create opportunities for children to ‘talk’ with authors and illustrators about their jobs.

 

Our PTA are actively involved in fundraising for both the library and the school holds a regular book club for parents, carers and staff.