Intent

At Dagnall, we put reading at the heart of our curriculum as we know that reading is fundamental to learning now and in the future.

We aim to foster a love of reading both at school and at home.                                                                                    We believe reading is an entitlement that opens up a world of possibility enabling children to learn more about themselves, others, the world and beyond.

In the Early Years and KS1, children use the supersonic phonic friends to support their learning of reading. (Please see the separate phonics page for more information.)

Children in KS2 move towards exploring a wider variety of text in which to apply their reading skills beyond phonics based text.

Daily guided reading lessons explicitly teach for fluency through the use of echo, choral and individual reading. Reading fluency enables children to more fully understand what they have read which supports their comprehension.

Children are encouraged to read widely and are exposed to a variety of genres both as part of English lessons but also as part of their daily reading for pleasure sessions which take place across the school.

Weekly library sessions and daily class readers provide opportunities for further developing our love of reading.

We want our children, at every stage of their reading journey, to read with accuracy, automaticity and prosody meaning that they read confidently, sound like a reader and read for understanding.

By learning to read fluently our children will develop a deeper understanding of what they have read enabling them to consider the impact of the words the author has used, the meaning behind the words and the impact they have on them.

These combined, will help children to develop their love of reading and they can feel the joy that can be found immersing themselves in a book.

Reading for Pleasure 

What does 'Reading for Pleasure' look like at Dagnall? 

Reading for Pleasure at Dagnall

At Dagnall, reading for pleasure is at the heart of school life. We provide a rich and engaging reading environment where children can explore books for enjoyment, curiosity, and personal growth.

Our pupils benefit from timetabled library sessions, giving them regular access to a wide range of books to discover and enjoy. In the classroom, teachers model reading through daily class readers, sharing stories aloud to inspire a love of reading and spark discussion. Teachers are also ambassadors for reading and will showcase this in their own 'What Am I Reading Poster' displayed in their classroom and throughout the school. 

We celebrate reading through exciting events such as World Book Day, live author visits and other book-related activities that make literature come alive. Children are rewarded for their reading achievements with opportunities to choose books for themselves and their class at our local bookshop, reinforcing the joy of owning and sharing books.

Every day, our pupils have dedicated reading for pleasure time, allowing them to immerse themselves in books of their choice. Additionally, our weekly lunchtime book club offers a space for book lovers to come together, share recommendations, and discuss their latest reads.

At Dagnall, reading is not just a skill—it’s a celebration and every child is encouraged to find the books that excite and inspire them. We hope that the experience of reading at Dagnall School will ensure that this enthusiasm for reading is nurtured and sustained into their next stages of life. 

Top Tips for Supporting Reading for Pleasure and Fluency at Home

Reading at home is one of the best ways to support your child’s learning, confidence, and enjoyment of books.
Here are some top tips for children aged 3–11:

1. Make reading a daily habit

• Set aside a regular time each day for reading, even just 10–15 minutes.

• Create a cozy, comfortable reading space.

2. Let your child choose books

• Encourage children to pick books they are interested in, whether fiction, comics, magazines, or non-fiction.

• Let them explore topics they love—it builds motivation and enjoyment.

3. Read aloud together

• Continue reading aloud to children of all ages—it models fluent reading, expression, and comprehension.

• Discuss the story, characters and new vocabulary to deepen understanding.

4. Encourage independent reading

• Support your child to read on their own, even if it’s short texts.

• Praise effort and celebrate progress rather than focusing only on accuracy.

5. Talk about books

• Ask questions like “What do you think will happen next?” or “Why did the character do that?”

• Share your own thoughts and favourite stories—it shows that reading is fun for everyone.

6. Re-read favourite books

• Repetition helps children become more fluent and confident.

• Encourage them to read familiar stories aloud, practicing expression and pace.

7. Visit your local library or bookshop

• Let your child explore and choose books independently.

• Take part in library events or reading challenges.

8. Model reading yourself

• Let your child see you reading for pleasure—books, magazines, newspapers.

• Share your own excitement about reading.

9. Mix it up

• Include poetry, audio books, comics, and interactive e-books.

• Variety keeps reading fresh, fun, and engaging.

10. Celebrate reading successes

• Praise effort and achievements.

• Create a display, sticker chart, or small reward for finishing books or trying new authors.

By making reading enjoyable and regular, parents can help children develop fluency, confidence, and a lifelong love of reading.

Reading Newsletters

Useful Websites

We are lucky enough to have 'Dave' come to school to support us with our reading, along with his owners Adrian and Jane. They come for fortnightly visits and listen to children read and share class stories. The children at Dagnall really love their visits from Dave! 

We are proud to be a pilot school for Calibre Learning. Key Stage Two children are taking part in this trial. 

A little more information... 

Calibre Audio Learning offer free membership for schools to support children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities. 

"Our free audiobook service is designed to make reading more accessible too and enjoyable for children who have SEN or disabilities that mean they may find reading printed text challenging. In addition to offering these children free access to our extensive collection of audiobooks, we also offer a free school account so that teachers can see the resources on offer and choose the most appropriate ways of using them to support their students." 

Children are able to login to their Calibre Audio account and listen at home to the audiobook that has been assigned for them by their class teacher.