Village Schools Federation Approach to Reading and Phonics 

Reading is at the heart of the curriculum and is recognised as the key to unlocking success across all areas of learning. A high priority is given to ensuring that every child becomes a confident, fluent and enthusiastic reader. From the start of their journey with us, children are immersed in a language-rich environment where books, stories and high-quality texts are celebrated and valued. Staff across all schools are committed to fostering a genuine love of reading so that pupils not only learn to read effectively, but also develop a lifelong enjoyment of literature. 

The federation has a consistent and rigorous approach to the teaching of early reading through fidelity to the Read Write Inc. (RWI) synthetic phonics programme. The scheme is implemented with consistency across all VSF schools, ensuring that children build strong phonics knowledge progressively and securely. Staff receive ongoing training and coaching to maintain high-quality teaching and a shared understanding of effective practice. Assessment is used carefully to ensure pupils are taught at the correct stage and receive timely support or challenge so that all children can achieve success. 

Reading is prioritised daily through regular story times, structured phonics lessons, guided reading, opportunities for independent reading and carefully chosen texts to support the curriculum. Children practise and apply their phonics knowledge through fully decodable texts which carefully match their current phonic understanding, enabling them to experience success and build confidence. Frequent assessment and targeted interventions ensure that children are identified quickly and supported effectively to keep up. 

Across the VSF, classrooms and libraries promote a culture of reading and celebrate books from a wide range of authors, genres and cultures. Staff model positive reading behaviours and encourage discussion, comprehension and vocabulary development through high-quality texts. Parents and carers are valued partners in supporting early reading, and schools provide guidance and resources to help families support reading at home. 

As pupils progress through the federation, they continue to develop fluency, comprehension and critical thinking skills through exposure to ambitious and engaging texts. The consistent emphasis on reading ensures that children leave the VSF as capable, confident readers who are well prepared for the next stage of their education and equipped with the skills needed for lifelong learning.