Wider Curriculum Reading
At Old Fletton Primary School, we are committed to creating a reading-rich environment where children experience the joy and value of reading in a wide variety of contexts — not just during English lessons. Our wider reading curriculum is designed to promote a lifelong love of reading, support subject knowledge across the curriculum, and develop confident, thoughtful learners.
We achieve this through:
- Cross-curricular reading opportunities: Carefully selected texts are used in subjects such as History, Science, and Geography to deepen understanding and build subject-specific vocabulary.
- Class novels underpinned by British Values: Every class engages with a carefully chosen novel, which not only supports reading fluency and comprehension but also provides meaningful opportunities to explore key British Values — such as democracy, mutual respect, tolerance, individual liberty, and the rule of law — through character, theme, and moral discussion.
- Designated Reading for Pleasure sessions: Each week, pupils take part in a dedicated session with their class teacher, reading books of their own choosing and engaging in thoughtful discussions. These sessions build positive reading relationships and encourage deeper comprehension and enjoyment.
- Celebration of reading: We promote a vibrant reading culture by creating inviting reading spaces within classrooms, dressing classroom doors during World Book Day, and organising competitions across Key Stages. We also enrich pupils’ experiences through author visits, workshops, and even virtual author events.
- Pupil voice and choice: Children are empowered to recommend books, write peer reviews, and discuss their reading, helping to shape a reading culture that is owned and driven by them.
- Home–school reading partnerships: We promote daily home reading and support families with guidance and resources to ensure reading becomes a natural part of life beyond the classroom.
Through this rich and inclusive approach, reading becomes central to our pupils’ academic success, cultural understanding, and personal development.