English: Reading
Every child a reader
Our aim is for every child to leave Princess May as a fluent, confident reader who understands what they read and reads widely for pleasure. Children learn to read through Read Write Inc. Phonics, and we aim for every child to read fluently by the end of Year 1. From the spring term of Year 2, children develop their comprehension through Destination Reader. Teachers read aloud to every class: every day in the EYFS and Key Stage 1, and at least three times a week in Key Stage 2.
Key Stage 1: learning to read
Children start Read Write Inc. Phonics in Reception and continue until they read fluently. They learn the sounds in three sets, blend them to read words and read books matched to the sounds they know. A daily story time builds vocabulary and a love of stories. Children who need extra help receive daily one-to-one tutoring so that they keep up. Our Phonics and Early Reading page explains this in more detail.
Key Stage 2: reading to understand
Children begin Destination Reader in the spring term of Year 2, or when they are ready, and continue with it to the end of Year 6. They read and discuss high-quality picture books, novels, non-fiction and poetry with a partner, and are taught seven reading strategies: predicting, clarifying, asking questions, summarising, inferring, making connections and evaluating. In Year 3, children learn one strategy at a time; by Year 6, they combine all seven to understand challenging texts in depth.
| Day |
Reading lesson |
| Monday and Tuesday |
Destination Reader: whole-class core text, read and discussed in pairs |
| Wednesday |
Destination Reader: a Big Picture lesson or an unseen comprehension text, on alternate weeks |
| Thursday and Friday |
Comprehension practice: answering questions on unseen texts |
Older children who are still learning to read fluently follow Read Write Inc. Phonics or Read Write Inc. Fresh Start, which uses texts written for their age.
A love of reading
Every class has regular story time, an inviting reading area and a weekly visit to the school library. Children also enjoy our lunchtime Book Club, author of the term, author and poet visits, World Book Day and reading mornings for parents and carers.
Reading at home
Reading is the most important home learning your child does. Please listen to your child read every day, and read to them too. Every child has a reading record so that you can tell us what they have read at home.
| Year group |
Books brought home |
| Nursery |
A book to share |
| Reception to Year 2 (Read Write Inc. Phonics) |
The storybook read in class, a matching book and a book to share |
| Year 2 to Year 6 (Destination Reader) |
A library book of their choice and a book from the class reading area chosen with their teacher |
Find out more
Reading Policy 2026–27
Read Write Inc. Phonics Policy 2026–27
English (Writing and Reading) Curriculum Overview 2026–27 (PDF)
English Knowledge and Skills Progression Map 2026–27 (PDF)
If you have any questions about reading, please speak to your child’s class teacher or contact the school office on 020 7254 1589.
