Reading
At Kelvin Grove Primary School, we strive to promote a love of reading in all that we do. Our bespoke curriculum has a vast selection of rich and inspirational stories at its heart; we ensure that pupils have lots of opportunities to read in lots of different contexts and for different purposes. Each subject has key texts woven through each area of study, meaning that learning is linked to storytelling and therefore engaging and relevant. We believe that being a fluent and avid reader opens doors for children to the wider world and gives them the tools they need to be lifelong learners.
Subject Aims
As a school, we aim to promote high standards of language and literacy by equipping children with a strong command of the spoken and written word, and to develop their love of literature through widespread reading both across the curriculum and at home. As a school, we aim to ensure that all pupils:
read easily, fluently and with good understanding
develop the habit of reading widely and often, for both pleasure and information
acquire a wide vocabulary, an understanding of grammar and knowledge of linguistic conventions for reading, writing and spoken language
appreciate our rich and varied literary heritage
write clearly, accurately and coherently, adapting their language and style in and for a range of contexts, purposes and audiences
use discussion in order to learn; they should be able to elaborate and explain clearly their understanding and ideas
are competent in the arts of speaking and listening, making formal presentations, demonstrating to others and participating in debate.
Opportunities for Reading
Pupils read regularly in all areas of the curriculum and in every part of the school day:
- Whole Class Text Study – English lessons are taught through a quality text supporting the Talk for Writing process which is chosen carefully by the Class Teacher; children will engage in many reading activities through English lessons which will promote a deeper comprehension of the text allowing learners to embark on a sequence of work which results in a written outcome.
- Whole Class Guided Reading – Reading lessons are taught through a quality text chosen carefully by the Class Teacher; across the year the texts will include a literary classic as well as texts from different genres for different audiences and purposes .
- Guided Reading- Teachers and support staff work with small groups of pupils to teach specific and targeted reading skills with a book that is sufficiently challenging.
- Reading Across the Curriculum – Pupils read a range of books linked to other areas of their learning. there is very much a focus on ‘reading to learn’ across foundation curriculum areas, with children engaging in wider research, both online and through fiction and non-fiction texts.
- Story Time – Across the whole school, books are read aloud and shared with pupils, helping children to hear expressive reading and to develop an enthusiasm for reading books themselves. Class books are shared with pupils, where they read along with the teacher.
Reading Links
https://home.oxfordowl.co.uk
Interactive books and reading activities to share with your child at home.
Log in: Kelvinhome, kelvinhome
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/b/free-ebooks/nook-books/kids/_/N-ry0Z8qaZtu1
Full of free ebooks.
Kelvinhome, kelvinhome
Reading Books
Phonic Reading Books
Children will bring home sounds that they have been learning during the week along with tricky words. They will also receive a reading book relevant to the phase/ sound in which they are currently working. We currently use Bug Club, Alphablocks and Rocket Phonics as part of our phonic reading scheme.
100 Books Per Year Group
To encourage children to explore a wide range of genres, authors, subjects children are challenged to read 100 titles for pleasure across the year. These are must have titles for each year group which include a wide range of reads from new titles to ever-popular classics. Each week children are able to take a title home to read for pleasure- challenging themselves to complete an accelerated reader quiz if appropriate.
Please see below for a list of titles per year group.
Accelerated Reader (AR) Reading Books
We use a system called Accelerated Reader to help monitor your children’s independent and home reading. Pupils pick a book at his/her own interest level and read at their own pace. When finished, children take a short quiz on the computer to check their understanding. The teacher will assign a range of suggested book levels (ZPD) based on assessment in school and from the STAR Reading test. E.g. 2.1-2.5. Each book is given a book level. We believe children should have freedom to choose their own books at their own reading and interest level.
How to access AR at home?
To access AR, you must go on the website:https://ukhosted24.renlearn.co.uk/1894786/default.aspx
The website is specific to each school so please check you are using the correct website. The children are all aware of this.
Instructions for how to access AR: Accessing Accelerated Reader Parent Letter
Questions to develop understanding
Questions to support reading can be split in to two categories: those that require children to find or retrieve the answer from the text and questions that help children to develop understanding; these may require your child to read again or think carefully in order to infer the answer.
Top Tips to Support Reading at Home

Awesome Angels
Sage Stars
Blazing Baltics
Millennium Magic
Get in touch
Have a question? We’re always here to help, just complete the form below and we’ll get back to you as soon as we can.
Week 3 and 4
Contact
Kelvin Grove, Gateshead, Tyne and Wear,
NE8 4UN
Telephone:
0191 477 4186
E-Mail:
kelvingrovecommunityprimaryschool@gateshead.gov.uk
Acting Head Teacher:
Mrs J. Thompson
Chair of Governors:
Mr I. Mearns MP
About
We are a truly inclusive school and welcome our pupils from all over the world.
Based in Bensham, Gateshead, Kelvin Grove Primary School caters for children aged between 3 and 11. We provide our children with a safe and stimulating environment in which they develop their academic, physical, spiritual, moral, social and cultural lives.