Reading

Reading is one of the most important skills we can teach a child. When a child is able to read, their world opens up and their life prospects improve drastically.  

Because of the importance of reading, we have a dedicated attitude toward it at Highwood. As always, education is a partnership between school and home, so we urge you to work with us on enabling your child to discover the joy, wonder and opportunities that reading can bring.  

In key stage one and early years, all the children are heard read every day by an adult. We will record their reading in the yellow reading record which will be sent home with them. They will also be given separate books to enjoy at home, designed to be read to you. While our Highwoodians are developing their phonic awareness, they will receive books that closely relate to their phonics. Though evenings can be busy, we request for our parents/carers to do their absolute best to hear their child read every day. Once they have read with their child, we ask that they write a short comment in the record about how their Highwoodian did, for example any words they found tricky or learned, what they enjoyed about the story or how they responded to questions that were asked. We really value the dialogue that the records offer us, and we look forward to seeing how the reading of the children is coming along at home.  

Children learn to read in three ways. Therefore, alongside their usual reading books, you will also receive a ‘Shared’ story book, which you will read to your child (they may join in). I’ve created a video to show you exactly what this looks like and what to expect. Access this at:  

Highwood reading scheme information - YouTube

It’s important that children are given time to read for pleasure in school several times a week; they have access to a selection of books in their classrooms. We also read diverse, quality, age-appropriate literature to children several times a week through our ‘Story Time’ - you can see the book lists for these below.

highwood copse story time list 2023.pdf