At Aldryngton, we recognise the importance of developing reading skills as a key tool for lifelong learning. By the time children leave the school in Year 6, our results have always been significantly higher at both expected and higher levels. Our phonics and reading curriculum has been carefully designed in order to maximise learning opportunities.
On entrance to the school in Foundation Stage, children will begin the Read, Write, Inc phonics programme. Children will stay on this programme for most of their time in Key Stage 1. Usually, there is a national check at the end of Year 1 to check the level of phonics knowledge. Children who do not pass this test are then retested at the end of Year 2.
In Key Stage 2, we continue to develop comprehension skills as well as a love of reading. We use Accelerated Reader for all children in Key Stage 2 and children in Year2 who completed the Read, Write, Inc programme. The scheme starts off with a diagnostic test completed online. It is an adaptive test and gets easier if the child is getting the questions wrong and harder if they are getting questions correct. At the end of this test it produces detailed assessment information for the teacher including scaled scores, reading age and a reading range (known as a Zone of Proximal Development). The reading age will cover from 6 years-16 years old.
Children then choose physical books from their range (either at home, in school, e-books or library) and then complete a comprehension quiz online at the end. Teachers are then able to access detailed reports on the books children have read, their percentage scores and whether the child is choosing books at the required level.
From a parent and child level of access, you will be able to view all the books that your child has read and taken a quiz on as well as their subsequent scores. It will even calculate and show you the amount of words that your child has read. You will also be able to view your child’s Zone of Proximal Development. As a general rule, children start off around one point above the minimum number in the range and are looking at an optimum pass mark of 85%. If your child is averaging more than this, it is an indication that they should be reading more challenging books within their range and if it is under 85%, then they should read books lower in their range.