Reading Curriculum at Sir Martin Frobisher Academy
A Love of Reading for Life
At Sir Martin Frobisher Academy, we believe that reading is the key to unlocking all areas of learning. Our aim is to develop confident, fluent readers who not only have strong comprehension skills but also a genuine love of books.
We provide a rich and engaging reading curriculum that supports every child from their earliest experiences with phonics through to becoming independent, thoughtful readers.
Early Reading and Phonics
Phonics is at the heart of early reading at Sir Martin Frobisher Academy. We use a structured, systematic approach to teach children how to read and write by linking sounds (phonemes) to letters (graphemes).
In the Early Years Foundation Stage and Key Stage 1, children:
- Take part in daily phonics sessions
- Learn to recognise, blend, and segment sounds
- Develop confidence in decoding unfamiliar words
- Read books carefully matched to their phonics knowledge
Our phonics teaching is consistent, progressive, and designed to ensure that every child becomes a confident early reader.
Please read our Reading and Phonics Policy here.
For more information on how we teach phonics, please click here.
The Phonics Screening Check
In Year 1, pupils take part in the national Phonics Screening Check. This helps us assess children’s decoding skills and identify any additional support needed.
Children who need further support continue phonics teaching into Year 2 to ensure they secure these essential skills.
Reading Across the School
As children move through the school, our focus shifts from learning to read, to reading to learn.
Key Stage 1 (Years 1–2)
Pupils develop fluency and begin to understand texts more deeply. They explore a range of stories, poems, and non-fiction texts, building confidence and enjoyment.
Key Stage 2 (Years 3–6)
Children become more confident, independent readers. They develop skills in:
- Comprehension and inference
- Vocabulary development
- Predicting and summarising
- Analysing texts and authors’ choices
Pupils are exposed to a wide range of high-quality texts.
Reading for Pleasure
We are passionate about promoting a love of reading. Across the school, we provide:
- Well-stocked and inviting reading areas
- Opportunities for shared reading and storytelling
- Access to a wide range of books and genres
- Events and activities that celebrate reading
We encourage children to read regularly at home and to see reading as an enjoyable and rewarding experience.
Destination Reader and Whole-Class Reading
Reading is taught through a combination of:
- Destination Reader reading lessons
- Guided reading sessions
- Individual reading opportunities
Teachers model fluent reading and support pupils in developing comprehension skills through discussion, questioning, and exploration of texts.
Supporting Reading at Home
We value the important role that parents and carers play in supporting reading development.
You can support your child by:
- Listening to them read regularly
- Asking questions about the text
- Encouraging discussion about books
- Sharing a variety of reading materials
Regular reading at home has a significant impact on children’s progress and confidence.
Assessment and Progress
Reading is regularly assessed to ensure all pupils are making good progress. Teachers use a range of strategies, including:
- Ongoing classroom assessment
- Phonics assessments
- Reading comprehension activities
This allows us to provide targeted support and ensure every child reaches their full potential.
Our Commitment
At Sir Martin Frobisher Academy, we are committed to ensuring that every child becomes a confident, fluent reader with a lifelong love of books. Through high-quality teaching, engaging texts, and strong home-school partnerships, we support all pupils on their reading journey.