As a school we have worked hard to develop our teaching of comprehension across the school. We have done this through the introduction of Read Write Inc phonic, Comprehension and Language and Literacy, as well as the Ark English Mastery Schemes. As well as this, we introduced timetabled whole class story time each day, where developing comprehension and reading for pleasure is the aim. 

English Leader & Reading Leader - Faye James (Assistant Headteacher) 

As a school we are passionate about making sure pupils can read functionally by the time they leave Longcause. We introduced Read, Write, Inc as our phonics scheme and this is used to teach pupils early reading, comprehension and writing skills across all year groups. 

We have invested fully in this as a school and pupils read books that are matched to their reading ability. Pupils are also given the opportunity to take corresponding book bag books home. As a school we have full access to the Ruth Miskin portal and the Oxford Owl subscription, to ensure that we are well resourced and staff have constant access to CPD videos. We also have termly development days with our Ruth Miskin trainer, to ensure that we are following the programme with fidelity. 

Staff have had extensive training on RWI. All staff were provided training on RWI by the Ruth Miskin trainer, as well as having further training by Faye. All staff are collectively given fortnightly RWI input, as well as daily coaching, monitoring and support.

Pupils are carefully grouped homogenously across all year groups. The grouping follows assessments carried out by the Reading Leader. Each child will read a book at least 3 times before moving on. This aims to improve their fluency, expression and comprehension.

Encouraging reading for pleasure is important to us across the school. Every class across the school has a daily story time, where their class teacher reads a story aloud to the pupils. All staff have received training on this, as well as how to develop comprehension skills. In order to develop comprehension, story time is timetabled each day. Teachers show enjoyment of stories, using voices and manner to make meaning clear. Teachers use 'think aloud' strategies to support pupils' comprehension. Teachers introduce new vocabulary before reading the story, and explain the meaning in context as well as talking about stories to ensure clear comprehension. 

In addition to books that they can decode themselves, pupils are able to and encouraged to take home a book that they can share together with their families, or can have read to them at home. 

When pupils complete the RWI programme, they then progress on to the RWI Comprehension programme. This programme supports the development of reading fluency and comprehension skills. The modules include a range of fiction and non-fiction texts. 

After this, pupils will complete the Language and Literacy programme. This programme further develops pupils' abilities to comprehend every text. 

Pupils are then able to go on to the Ark Mastery programme, where they are taught systematically grammar, vocabulary and reading for pleasure, alongside traditional literature.

You can find out more about our reading provision by clicking the link below to go to our English page. 

Feedback from our Ruth Miskin trainer:

Dear Anne and Faye,

I’d like to take this opportunity to express how successful the implementation of RWI has been at Longcause. Faye, you have led the practice and coaching of staff beautifully – you are doing an amazing job. The children are enjoying RWI and making progress from their starting points.

Very best wishes,

Katie