Reading at Hitherfield

At Hitherfield Primary School, reading is a priority, as we recognise that it is fundamental to pupils' development and future academic success. To foster strong reading skills, we have integrated comprehensive reading programmes across all year groups. Our curriculum includes Little Wandle reading sessions in Reception and Year 1, timetabled three times per week, and VIPERS reading sessions for Years 2-6, running daily from 9:00 to 9:30 am, along with a safeguarded daily Story Time session for every year group. We provide children with exposure to a variety of high-quality texts, in various forms and genres, which both represent our school community and offer windows into other cultures and experiences. Additionally, we offer numerous reading for pleasure initiatives and engage our community through the Hitherfield Heroes reading volunteer programme.

Phonics At Hitherfield

VIPERS: Our Further Reading Strategy

VIPERS reading sessions are designed to follow on from the Little Wandle reading sessions which take place in Reception and Year 1. VIPERS is an acronym designed to help recall the six reading domains outlined in the UK’s reading curriculum. These key areas are essential for children to understand and improve their comprehension of texts. Each week VIPERS reading sessions focus on one of the specific core reading skills.

VIPERS stands for:

- Vocabulary

- Inference

- Prediction

- Explanation

- Retrieval

- Sequence or Summarise

VIPERS SESSIONS STRUCTURE

VIPERS READING QUESTION EXAMPLES TO USE AT HOME

Reading for Pleasure

At Hitherfield Primary School we view the promotion of reading for pleasure as crucial, as it both cultivates a lifelong love of learning and enhances academic success. When children enjoy reading, they are more likely to read regularly and widely, which improves their vocabulary, comprehension, and overall literacy skills. 

Beyond the academic benefits, reading for pleasure stimulates imagination, fosters empathy through diverse narratives, and encourages independent thinking and decision-making. It also promotes social and emotional development by providing shared experiences within the school community and offering a healthy outlet for relaxation and enjoyment. 

At Hitherfield, we integrate the promotion of reading for pleasure into all aspects of school life. For example, high-quality texts are central to our Writing lessons, ensuring students engage deeply with literature. Additionally, we incorporate various initiatives and activities designed to enrich the reading experience for our pupils.

Hitherfield's Reading for Pleassure Initiatives

Click below to read our Reading curriculum documents:

Reading Curriculum Documents