On entry to FCJA, all children take part in a range of assessments to determine their current attainment. We assess children using the Oxford Reading Criterion, which focuses on all aspects and gives you a full picture of the child, as a reader. We also assess their phonics and written reading comprehension, using assessments from Key Stage 1 and our formative assessments in September. This information is used to determine levelled readers and other reading provision.

Phonics teaching in Year 3

In Year 3 we have purchased the OUP systematic, synthetic phonics scheme (Essential Letters and Sounds) to teach phonics to children (who could not apply basic phonemic understanding to reading) and to support our use of Oxford Reading Books.

Levelled reading across FCJA

All children have a levelled reading book and are assessed against the reading criterion to ensure they are on the correct level. This is regularly updated.

How are the levelled reading books used?

In school, children read their levelled book for 10 minutes, every day. . Children are also heard to read, individually, during our SURF’s UP session (see wider reading section) on a Wednesday and during their dedicated library session.

At home, children are expected to read, aloud to an adult, at least 5 times a week for 5-10 minutes. Parents write in the home link book.

We also actively use Oxford Reading Buddy. All children have access to their account and this can be used in school and at home. We also use the quizzing section of this app. Children can complete quizzes at home and school, once they have read their book.

How often should children read their books?

Levels 1-5: Children need to read these books, aloud, four times before an adult will consider changing their book. This is to ensure that the child is fluent and has comprehension of each book.

Levels 6-7: Children need to read these twice before completing an online quiz or talking a to a teacher or TA about changing their book.

Levels 8 – 20: Children read once but they need to show the teacher that it has been read it to an adult, regularly, and show they understand it, before an adult will change it. 

How do we use Oxford Reading Buddy (ORB)?

At FCJA, we use ORB as a tool to support children in their reading journey. Children can access the e-books at school and home. It supports parents and children in reading and we use the quizzes to support our formative assessment.