English Reading
At Greenside, we are committed to cultivating a love of reading and strong literacy skills from EYFS to the end of KS2. Our approach begins in Nursery with Little Wandle Foundations for Phonics, where children are introduced to the foundational skills for reading through play-based, language-rich activities. As children progress to Reception, they begin on a structured phonics journey using the Little Wandle Letters and Sounds Revised programme. This high-quality programme is research-based and focuses on developing phonemic awareness and blending skills. Through daily phonics sessions, children build the essential skills needed to decode and understand words, laying a solid foundation for their future reading journey.
Our early literacy support is supplemented by the NELI (Nuffield Early Language Intervention) programme. All children in our early years setting are assessed for language needs, and those identified receive targeted support to develop vital communication skills. NELI provides an evidence-based intervention that helps children strengthen vocabulary, storytelling, and listening comprehension, ensuring they are equipped to thrive as readers and learners.
In Key Stage 1, children continue with Little Wandle, receiving structured phonics teaching in line with the programme's carefully sequenced approach. Every child takes home a Big Cat Phonics book each week, matched to their current phonics level. This weekly book fosters practice, fluency, and enjoyment, allowing children to reinforce their learning at home in a meaningful way. Our classrooms and shared spaces offer a literacy-rich environment that encourages reading exploration and supports every child's journey toward becoming an independent reader.
By Year 2, we introduce a blended approach, combining Little Wandle with Destination Reader. This provides our children with a seamless transition from phonics-focused reading to comprehension-rich reading strategies. Children who require additional support in phonics, including those who did not pass their phonics screening, receive targeted interventions using the Little Wandle programme to ensure they continue progressing in their phonics development.
Starting in Year 3 and throughout Key Stage 2, all children progress to our Destination Reader approach, which builds on their early phonics foundation and advances their comprehension, critical thinking, and collaborative reading skills. Through Destination Reader, our teachers support children in developing a genuine love of reading, providing them with strategies to deepen their understanding and encourage discussion. Children are encouraged to explore a range of high-quality texts that inspire curiosity and enjoyment.
Every week, our children have access to our library, where they can check out a book of their choice, fostering personal reading interests. To ensure consistent progression, children in Key Stage 2 also bring home a Big Cat KS2-levelled book weekly, chosen to support their current reading level. All children are assessed every half term—or sooner if necessary—to monitor progress and provide timely support. We use the Reading Cloud library system to track book loans, individual reading preferences, and assessments. This system helps us provide a personalised reading experience and monitor each child's development over time.
Our comprehensive, evidence-based reading approach is designed to support all pupils as they develop into confident, lifelong readers. With the support of dedicated teachers and carefully selected resources, we ensure that every child’s journey through reading is rich, enjoyable, and successful.