Reading at St. Luke’s C of E Primary School

At St. Luke’s, we believe that reading is the key to unlocking a lifetime of learning and enjoyment. Our Reading Curriculum is designed to ensure that every child not only learns how to read, but develops a genuine love for reading that will stay with them throughout their lives.

Our Vision

We want every child to:

• See reading as an open door to all learning.

• Celebrate their own reading journey, from first sounds to complex texts.

• Discover new words, authors, genres and worlds through books.

• Become fluent, confident and motivated readers by the time they move on to secondary school.

How We Teach Reading

Reading is at the heart of everything we do at St. Luke’s. Our approach includes:

• Early Reading and Phonics – Daily, highly structured phonics sessions in Reception and KS1, supported by decodable books for home and school.

• Whole-Class Reading (VIPERS) – A structured approach to comprehension, teaching children to explore Vocabulary, make Inferences, Predict, Explain, Retrieve and Summarise.

• Book-Led Curriculum – Every topic begins with a high-quality “book hook” to inspire children and connect reading with wider learning.

• Reading Spine – Carefully chosen texts, including classics, modern literature, poetry and non-fiction, provide breadth and depth for all age groups.

• Reading for Pleasure – A wide range of engaging books are available in classrooms and our library so children can discover their personal reading tastes.

Supporting All Learners

We believe every child can be a reader. Through quality first teaching, targeted support, and a strong focus on vocabulary development, we make sure all children can access rich texts and make progress on their reading journey.

Assessment and Progress

Teachers continually assess reading through phonics, guided reading and comprehension activities. This helps us celebrate children’s achievements and provide extra support where needed.

Beyond the Classroom

We encourage children to see themselves as readers everywhere – at home, in school, and in the wider world. Parents are supported with guidance on reading at home, and children are encouraged to share their favourite books, authors and stories with each other.

At St. Luke’s, our goal is simple: that every child leaves us not only able to read fluently, but inspired to keep reading for life.