KS2 Reading

Whole Class Reading

Intent

At St Thomas More, we aim to foster a love of reading by immersing children in high-quality texts that inspire curiosity and a deeper understanding of language. Our whole class approach to reading ensures that every child, regardless of ability, has access to the same rich and varied literature. By engaging with a wide range of texts, children become “text detectives,” developing their vocabulary, comprehension, and critical thinking skills. Our goal is to equip pupils with the tools to become confident, fluent readers who can draw meaning from texts and apply these skills across the curriculum and beyond.

Implementation

Whole Class Reading sessions are delivered daily and focus on six key reading domains:

• Vocabulary– exploring and explaining the meaning of words in context.
• Inference– using evidence from the text to make and justify inferences.
• Prediction– anticipating what might happen next, based on details and implications.
• Explanation– identifying how information and narrative content contribute to overall meaning.
• Retrieval– locating and recording key details from both fiction and non-fiction.
• Sequence or Summarise– sequencing events and summarising main ideas with clarity.

Teachers model high-quality reading and guide children through structured discussions, encouraging them to articulate their ideas, challenge one another, and deepen their understanding. This consistent approach ensures that all pupils have regular opportunities to practice and refine these essential skills.

Impact

Through this approach, children at St Thomas More develop into confident and reflective readers who can think critically about the texts they encounter. They demonstrate a growing mastery of vocabulary, comprehension, and analytical skills, which support their learning across the curriculum. Pupils leave our school with a love of reading, the ability to engage meaningfully with a wide range of texts, and the confidence to tackle new and challenging material. Our Whole Class Reading strategy builds not only strong readers but also lifelong learners who appreciate the power and pleasure of books.

Reading_Progression_Map_pdf_.pdf