Reading at Balfour Primary School – Impact and Approach 

At Balfour Primary School, our reading curriculum is rooted in high-quality literature and driven by a clear ambition: to nurture lifelong readers. We believe every child deserves access to a rich, diverse range of texts that both reflect their own experiences and open windows into the lives of others. Through carefully chosen books, we promote empathy, positive mental health and thoughtful engagement with the wider world. 

Our approach develops strong reading skills and stamina while nurturing enjoyment and connection. By fostering an inclusive reading culture across classrooms, the wider school and in partnership with families, we ensure reading is valued, shared and celebrated. The impact is children who achieve well and, importantly, choose to read for pleasure beyond their time at Balfour. 

Our Reading Spine 

At the heart of our reading curriculum is our carefully curated Reading Spine, which ensures children experience a wide range of diverse, engaging and ambitious texts throughout their time at Balfour. These books reflect our community and progressively challenge pupils, supporting their development as confident, capable readers. 

The Reading Curriculum 

Beyond Read Write Inc., reading is taught through Shared Reading from the spring term of Year 2 onwards. This whole-class approach allows all pupils to explore the same text together, regardless of reading ability, and has been particularly effective in supporting less confident readers. Through guided discussion and a focus on VIPERS (Vocabulary, Inference, Predict, Explain, Retrieve, Summarise), children access rich language, themes and ideas beyond their independent reading level. 

Reading for Pleasure 

Developing a love of reading is central to our vision. Through daily story time, independent reading time, informal book talk and welcoming social reading spaces, we create a culture where reading is enjoyable, meaningful and shared. 

We celebrate reading through our school library, class book corners, outdoor reading spaces, competitions, World Book Day, book fairs, author visits, bedtime story events and initiatives such as Class BookFlix. These opportunities help children see reading not as a task, but as a lifelong source of enjoyment and discovery. 

Assessment and Support 

Regular assessment helps us understand each child’s reading journey and identify next steps. We use a range of approaches, including one-to-one discussions, phonic checks, NFER assessments and comprehension activities, to ensure targeted, personalised support. 

We aim for no child to fall behind. Reading progress is closely monitored, and early intervention is put in place where needed. Support may include continued phonics into KS2, one-to-one or small-group reading, specialist assessments, EMAS support, and close partnership with families. 

Reading at Home

Reading at home is one of the most valuable ways families can support children’s learning. Regular shared reading and independent reading help children develop confidence, vocabulary, comprehension and fluency, while also creating positive, enjoyable associations with books. When children see parents and carers reading for pleasure, they learn that reading is valued, useful and enjoyable. By making time to read little and often, children are more likely to become enthusiastic, lifelong readers and to make strong progress across the curriculum. 

Please see the Reading at Home Expectations document for further detail on monitoring of home reading and rewards.