At Westwoodside Church of England Primary School, we adopt a whole-class approach to the teaching of reading, emphasising the development of analytical readers. Our goal is for children to understand authorial intent and articulate their opinions with justification. This method enables children to comprehend beyond their word reading 'level', cultivating good comprehension skills rooted in linguistic knowledge and world awareness.

We believe that comprehension skills are best developed through high-quality discussions with teachers and engagement with diverse reading materials, including stories, poems, and non-fiction. The National Curriculum's focus on Reading for Pleasure, Vocabulary Development, and Oral Comprehension aligns with our approach, ensuring skill development in each area. The new DFE framework highlights the importance of teaching language comprehension and word recognition, advocating that 'learning to read is a right for all children, regardless of circumstances.' Every child at Westwoodside Church of England Primary School will have opportunities to read aloud, listen to readings by teachers or peers, and engage in constructive discussions about the material. We prioritise exploring unfamiliar vocabulary within familiar contexts, enhancing reading depth and enjoyment.

From the beginning of their education at our school, students are encouraged to engage in discussions about high-quality literature. The quality of their contributions and evaluations in these discussions is expected to grow throughout their time with us. Our staff model high expectations in discussion, instil a joy in reading, and foster a desire to learn and experiment with new vocabulary.