Reading

At ASJ, our shared reading curriculum is built around a carefully sequenced range of high-quality, age appropriate texts using Literacy Counts’ Ready Steady Read Together units of learning.

This resource provides dynamic and inclusive lessons that incorporate metacognitive strategies and showcase diverse literature from a range of exceptional authors. It aims to inspire children and their families to develop a lifelong love of reading for pleasure, knowledge and information.

We intend that all pupils from Year 2 to Year 6, regardless of need, ability or background, have the opportunity to meet and where possible exceed the National Curriculum expectations for reading comprehension. Ready Steady Read Together ensures that every pupil has access to high quality texts, enabling them to experience rich literature that develops fluency, vocabulary and deep understanding.

Through explicit teacher modelling of expression, pace, intonation and prosody, children learn how skilled readers bring meaning to a text and how these features support comprehension. Shared reading also provides regular opportunities for discussion, questioning, drama and exploration of language.

These approaches deepen comprehension while strengthening oracy skills. Crucially, our shared reading curriculum ensures that every child, regardless of their decoding ability, can access ambitious texts, engage meaningfully with literature and develop the habit of reading widely and often for both pleasure and learning.

Reading for Pleasure

Reading for pleasure is a powerful way to nurture lifelong learning. It builds children’s vocabulary, empathy, imagination, and resilience, and is strongly linked to academic success across all subjects. At ASJ, we encourage children to enjoy books in all forms—whether curled up with a favourite story or exploring new genres with friends. When adults read aloud, it brings stories to life, models fluent reading, and helps children develop listening skills, emotional literacy, and a deeper love of language. Sharing books together creates special moments and lays the foundation for confident, joyful readers.

At ASJ, we end each day with our much‑loved class novel time. This daily slot gives children the chance to unwind and enjoy listening to their teacher read aloud. Sharing stories in this way helps build vocabulary, strengthens listening skills, and nurtures a genuine love of reading. It’s a calm, joyful moment in the school day where books come to life and children finish feeling connected, settled, and inspired.

Just One More...

At ASJ, our Just One More... initiative is a KS2-wide reading challenge designed to spark curiosity and celebrate a love of books. Using the ‘Books for Topics’ Top 50 Reads for each year group, children are encouraged to explore a wide range of authors, genres, and themes - aiming to read as many titles as they can from their list. Every five books read earns a certificate, with special prizes awarded to top readers at the end of the year. These carefully chosen books promote empathy, cultural awareness, and personal growth, while supporting learning across the curriculum. It’s all about discovering new favourites and saying, “Just one more!”

For more information, take a look at the information shared during our 'Book & Brew' morning.