Our Vision
At St Joseph’s Catholic Primary School, we intend to provide a Reading curriculum, which is accessible and aspirational for all children across the whole of the primary phase as we believe that 'Reading Gives You Wings'. We deliver sessions that are engaging and well-resourced to enable access to learning for all children. Our children REACH and strive for excellence, and are able to work both independently and co-operatively. We are dedicated to encouraging all children to be passionate about reading and are determined that ALL children will become highly competent readers by the end of their time with us inspiring them to REACH through Faith, Hope and Love.
It is our intention to immerse pupils in the wonders of quality texts to instil a love for reading, a passion for discovery and a confidence to explore their imagination. We are also committed to ensuring that children are able to recognise the importance of Reading in the wider world, developing empathy towards other faiths and cultures, preparing them for all aspects of life including their transition into secondary school.
'The more you read the Bible, the more you'll love it's author'.
What does Reading look like at St Joseph's Catholic Primary School?
Children will experience reading across the curriculum to develop their skills and knowledge in all areas.
They have daily reading sessions in class which are in small groups where they are either working with a teacher or a teaching assistant, or focused on an independent task.
Many children read one-to-one with adults and we are very lucky to have a team of volunteers and support from local charities such as Read With Me and Pets as Therapy to ensure there are a range of opportunities for our children to develop a love or reading as it truly opens doors for them.
World Book Day 2024
When I asked my Reading Ambassadors about what they’d like us to do for World Book Day they came up with lots of ideas – some of which we included in our day.
- We wore our pyjamas/onesies for the day and people brought in cushions/blankets/small soft toys which they used during our many reading sessions throughout the day.
- School Council and our Reading Ambassadors sold hot chocolates at break and lunch to raise money for our new Prayer Garden (an excellent place to read) and new books for the classrooms. They raised an amazing amount and the Reading Ambassadors and Mrs. Knight will consider how to spend this.
- We had a World Book Day Poster Competition - the poster had to include our moto 'Reading Gives You Wings'; be A4 sized and be hand drawn. Our KS1 winner was Zach and KS2 was Megan.
- All classes undertook activities related to Reading for Pleasure. KS2 engaged with two different online sessions through the BBC and the National Literacy Trust. KS1 and Reception looked at the 'Share a Story Corner' on the WBD website.
- Our work during the day was based around a book called 'Here We Are - Notes for Living on Planet Earth' by Oliver Jeffers. This book linked in with our catholic social teachings and virtue of love. Written as a manual to life on Earth from new dad Oliver Jeffers to his baby son, this simple, life-affirming picture book is both an overview of Earth and a guide to living well: concepts of kindness, tolerance and environmental responsibility flow seamlessly into the sparse but perfectly judged text. Each class produced work to share with the school during a whole school assembly in the afternoon.
- Parents/carers/friends/family were invited in to school to read with their child/children - there are some great pictures of this in action.
- We also reignited the St Joseph’s Book Swap on World Book Day and children as well as parents/carers were encouraged to bring books in to swap.
World Book Day 2023
When I asked my Year 6 class about ‘Reading for Pleasure’ and what it meant and looked like, they declared we should read all day and be comfy; therefore, our day had a big focus on this. Some of our events/activities were:
- As mentioned above, Year 6 said that when we read for pleasure, we like to be comfortable so they invited all children and staff (!) to dress in their pyjamas/onesies for the day. They brought in a cushion/blanket to use during our many reading sessions throughout the day.
- All classes will be did activities related to Reading for Pleasure. KS2 engaged in an online session with Michael Morpurgo – an incredibly brilliant and well-loved author. KS1 and Reception will be looking at the Share a Story Corner on the WBD website.
- We considered praising our favourite books and choosing one book that as a class we could recommend to other members of the school. Each class created a ‘book’ which is on display in our library corridor.
- Parents/carers/friends/family were invited in to school to read with their child/children.
Reception winner - Tristan - We're Going on a Bear Hunt jar.
Year 1 winner Étienne - Bumble Bear jar
Year 2 winner Henry - Matilda jar
Year 3 winner Maya - The Lighthouse Keepers Lunch jar
Year 4 winner Rosie - Percy Jackson jar
Year 5 winner Florence - A Series of Unfortunate Events jar
Year 6 winner Amelia - A Series of Unfortunate Events jar