As many of you will know, Miss Beatson’s not in school at the moment. We hope she’ll be back with us soon. In the meantime, thank you to all the parents who have passed on their goodwill messages.
After World Book Day yesterday, let’s continue this week’s message with a word from Mrs Latham (our Phonics Leader, based at one of the other Sphere Federation schools) about Early Reading…
Early reading (for parents of younger children)
Children learn to read during daily phonics lessons which are taught using a carefully sequenced, systematic phonics programme in Reception and Year 1.
Alongside this, there are Reading Practice groups four times each week. Children read the same book (a ‘real’ book, not an e-book) every day and the aim is to build fluency, prosody (expression) and comprehension throughout the week. The books are for practice. The words closely match the phonics that have been learnt in school. After the four reads in school, children can then celebrate their reading by reading the same text as an e-book at home.
Alongside these practice books, children should also have a book to read at home for pleasure. These books don’t match the learning at school – they’re best to read aloud together to enjoy.
We’ve now invested in some additional Fluency Reading books that follow on from this programme so that children can continue to develop reading fluency. They’re very appealing – children are thoroughly enjoying reading them. Take a look at them.
Help at home by listening to your child read out loud every day or reading out loud to them.
Publication: KS2 tests information leaflet for parents (for parents of older children)
Ahead of the end of Key Stage 2 national curriculum tests and teacher assessments in May, the Department for Education has published a new information leaflet for parents.
This leaflet provides an overview of the purpose of the tests, when they are scheduled, and when results will be shared by schools.
Is your child entitled to free school meals?
Free school meals are available to all children in Reception, Year 1 and Year 2. They’re also available to some older children according to family income. It’s important to register for entitlement to free school meals, even if your child has a packed lunch or is in a younger class – this is so we can receive additional funding (called the pupil premium) which we can use to help your child.
Read our guide to free school meals.
Finally…
I can’t speak highly enough of St James’. The teachers and staff are attentive, caring and are extremely supportive of my son. Thank you to everyone for making school such a happy and safe place to learn and grow.
That’s one of the comments from a recent survey of Reception parents – thank you to the 15 parents who took the time to let us know their views. We’re now reviewing what was said to see how we can act on some of the points raised.