This Autumn Term, we have rolled out our Collins Big Cat reading scheme across the school. 

Early Years classes, as well as KS1 will however first continue to follow and use the existing RWI phonics scheme, which has its own range of colour-band books. When pupils have successfully completed the most advanced books in RWI, they will be absle to progress to the Big Cat range of books, which also factors children's current reading age and progressively maps out a pathway for them to improve and develop their reading, as they complete each colour band. The expectation is that each child brings home an appropriate reading book that they have selected from the school library, as well as a book from the Big Cat range of books (levelled readers) of a RWI Phonics book provided by the phonics teacher, which will specifically be targeted at developing their current reading fluency. Every week, our children will have the opportunity to change both their levelled reader from the Big Cat range (or RWI Phonics book), as well as the library book that they have selected.  Please note that their are various books in each colour band range within the Big Cat reading scheme and RWI Phnics books, so you child may need to first work through the other titles within the reading colour band before progressing to the next colour reading band. This will also be at the discretion of the teacher, to ensure that the correct levelled reader is being taken home. Teachers have also been provided with a simplified reading assessment guide, to gauge your child's reading starting point. 

Reading records:

Each child, from Year 1 to Year 6, has been provided with a reading record. Please ensure that you find time to access their reading record, so that:

1. you are informed about their current reading band and their progression in reading
2. you can comment on their reading, which will also provide useful feedback to the teachers whilst also ensuring that our children get into regular, focused reading habits

The reading records can be used to recorsd any comments from either the child as well as the parent/ carer. Comments can be made about both the book chosen from the library as well as their proficiency with the levelled reading book from the Big Cat range (or RWI Phonics book). The reading records must be brought in with the library and Big Cat (or Phonics books) each week.

Please speak with your child's class teacher if you have any questions regarding our reading approach and related expectations.

Reading and reading fluency is so pivotal to your child's progress and having a regular, consistent approach to reading at home can only accelerate their learning. Thank you for your support with these all-important initiatives.

Mr Hope