Love one another as I have loved you’ (John 13: 34-35) helping each other to reach for the stars.

Reading & Phonics

We have a rigorous approach to the teaching of reading:

We use Read Write Inc. Phonics which is a DfE-validated systematic synthetic phonics programme which is designed to ensure progress for every child. This is taught from the beginning of Reception.

Children learn to read sounds and blend them into words. They apply this phonic knowledge to read and comprehend story books that are carefully matched to the sounds they know. Children learn to read these books with a storyteller’s voice.

Once pupils have been assessed as being secure with their Key Stage 1 Phonics learning, they will move onto our Collins Big Cat reading scheme of books. Big Cat contains a wide range of carefully levelled books to instil a love of reading in all pupils, written and developed by award-winning authors and supported by beautiful illustrations and stunning photography. They have been levelled to match the Institute of Education book bands for guided reading. As a school, we have invested heavily to ensure we have a wide range of genres and texts available for pupils to enjoy as part of their reading learning journey. Pupils can take the time to choose which text they wish to take home to read and can change their books once per week. As they progress through the scheme, the texts become longer and more challenging and so pupils may require to have them for longer. Children progress through the book bands in line with the guidance from Collins Big Cat and through regular teacher assessment.

Frequent assessment ensures that any pupil who is falling behind is quickly identified so that targeted support can be given immediately. As children’s reading develops we encourage them to read broadly. We teach reading as a priority across all year groups including through cross-curricular reading opportunities which have planned teaching objectives. We carefully select texts and resources to inspire, engage, challenge and promote discussion. We read to children daily.


The following links provide information shared at our Parents’ Reading Workshops. They provide an introduction to our Phonics scheme, explain how Phonics is taught and provides information about how you can use Fred Talk to support your child’s phonic development:

If you would like any further information relating to the reading curriculum, please contact the English lead, Mrs D Gulliver, using the following email address: office@stone.bucks.sch.uk