English
Reading is a priority for pupils in this school. The leaders of phonics and early reading have delivered comprehensive training in the school’s phonics programme.
Teaching includes a daily phonics session for all pupils, with further opportunities to support those pupils who are struggling to catch up and keep up. Leaders’ actions are making a positive difference for the majority of pupils. Ofsted 2021.
We are a reading school and reading development is at the heart of our practice. We make it a priority for all pupils. No child should leave school not being able to read. This is the commitment we have made to our children. At Hunslet Carr Primary school, we use Read Write Inc to give our children the best possible start on their reading journey.
What is Read Write Inc?
Read Write Inc (RWI) is a phonics programme, which helps all children learn to read fluently and at speed so they can focus on developing their skills in comprehension, vocabulary and spelling. The programme is designed for children aged 4-7. We continue teaching RWI to children beyond the age of 7 where needed, as we use a stage not age approach.
RWI was developed by Ruth Miskin and more information on this as well as tips on how you can help your child read at home can be found on this link.
Ruth Miskin - More Info
Phase 1 Letters and Sounds is taught daily in Nursery. Read, Write, Inc. is taught daily in Reception until the children have completed the programme in Year 2. When the programme is completed, Year 2 children are taught through our whole school shared reading comprehension programme and RWI spelling.
At Hunslet Carr we believe reading is a key for academic success and, therefore, it is at the heart of our curriculum. A large proportion of our children come to school with low literacy skills, a limited knowledge of stories and rhymes and minimal experiences of conversation and hearing people read. Through our curriculum and skilful teaching, we are committed to plugging these gaps so that all of our children, regardless of background, reach the potential that they are capable of and deserve. We are dedicated to enabling our pupils to become lifelong readers who, not only read fluently with good comprehension, but who also have a desire to read a wide range of texts for enjoyment and to further their own knowledge.
Early Reading
To ensure that our youngest children make the best possible start to their reading journey, Hunslet Carr uses Read Write Inc Phonics to teach phonics.
We are supported by the Jerry Clay English Hub and consultants from RWI Phonics to ensure that our staff are experts in teaching the scheme, so that children make excellent progress and where they are behind their peers, they catch up and then keep up.
Reading Comprehension and Fluency
We believe that ensuring children are fluent readers is the first step towards understanding texts and therefore developing a love of reading. Children at Hunslet Carr are read to and read to themselves every day to develop fluency and expression. They also have the opportunity to read to an adult numerous times within the week to further develop their fluency skills and confidence to read aloud.
Our teaching of reading is explicitly taught using 6 key comprehension skills. These skills help us understand and practice what good readers do. Click here to read about the 6 Comprehension Skills Click here to read our Reading Policy Click here to read how we teach reading across school
A love of Reading
These are some of the ways we encourage children to develop a love of reading:
· A well-stocked library with books chosen by the children
· Children choose their own reading books.
· Whole school reading events and celebrations
· Class based rewards
· Reading for a range of purposes across the curriculum
· Class story time
· Book fairs
Curriculum
Throughout the year children are exposed to a broad variety of quality texts which link to each term’s key driver subject. The children read for a range of purposes including; fact-finding, recipes for cooking and definition-finding for new topic-related vocabulary. See the Curriculum page for more information about our current and upcoming topics.
Parents
Below is a list of recommended reads for each year group.
Reception Recommended Reading List
Y1 Recommended Reading List
Y2 Recommended Reading List
Y3 Recommended Reading List
Y4 Recommended Reading List
Y5 Recommended Reading List
Y6 Recommended Reading List
It is our intent at Hunslet Carr Primary School to provide children with a high-quality education in English that will teach them to read, write and speak fluently, enabling them to communicate their ideas and emotions to others effectively.
Through the Talk for Writing Process, we teach the children writing techniques and introduce them to new vocabulary in order to develop the confidence and skills to write well for a range of purposes and audiences. We strive to teach the basics – grammar, spelling, handwriting and punctuation – to encourage creativity and to develop the confidence, desire and ability to express their views and opinions both orally and in writing. The Talk for Writing Process enables the children to learn to write for a particular genre through imitating a model, innovating on that model and then finally inventing their own text based on their learning.
Text map example Example writing from EYFS Invention Book
Writing is a crucial part of our curriculum - we strongly believe that there should be no ceiling placed on the learning of any individual child. All children from Early Years Foundation Stage to Year 6 are provided with many opportunities to develop and apply their writing skills across the curriculum.
Our writing opportunities are based on a topic, whole class text or recent experience. We want to ensure our children are challenged in the contexts they study and at the same time they are supported to bridge the gap between this and their own experiences so that the writing they produce can be personal, innovative and high-quality.
Year 4 Greeks Display Year 6 Double-Page Presentation
Nursery Goldilocks Topic
At Hunslet Carr, we intend to provide the children with the opportunities to write a variety of genres across Fiction, Non-Fiction and Poetry.
Coverage of the Talk 4 Writing units
In Writing, children are taught to plan, revise and evaluate. To be able to do this effectively, children will focus on developing effective transcription and effective composition. They will also develop an awareness of the audience, purpose and context, and an increasingly wide knowledge of vocabulary and grammar. We also intend for children to leave school being able to use fluent, legible and speed handwriting.
Modelled Handwriting Editing Rocket
Hunslet Carr Primary School, is a Leeds Communication Friendly Setting (LCFS). We proudly achieved the award in December 2025. The award recognises schools that place communication at the heart of teaching, learning and relationships.
Our aim is simple:
To embed effective communication skills across our whole school so every child can achieve their academic potential.
We are incredibly fortunate to have a highly specialised Speech and Language Therapist, Jen Camplin, who works closely with staff, parents and pupils across school. We also have a specialist HLTA who delivers targeted communication and language interventions. These skilled professionals ensure that all children receive high-quality, personalised support.
Principle 1 – Environment
Creating spaces where communication can thrive:
· Calm, organised and supportive classrooms
· Rich visuals and key vocabulary displays
· Clear routines and expectations
· Spaces designed to meet communication needs
Principle 2 – Opportunities
Providing communication-rich experiences every day:
· Talk, play and shared thinking activities
· Vocabulary-building opportunities
· Regular language routines
· Communication embedded across the curriculum
Principle 3 – Adult Interaction
Adults modelling, supporting and developing communication:
· Clear, effective modelling of language
· Use of visuals, gestures and repetition
· Giving processing time
· Asking open questions
· Supporting expression in multiple ways
Principle 4 – Child Interaction
Helping children communicate confidently with others:
· Building relationships and social communication
· Using language during play and learning
· Taking turns and sharing ideas
· Practicing communication throughout the day
Principle 5 – School Ethos (Our Current Focus)
Embedding communication at the heart of school life:
· Communication is a priority across all year groups
· Consistent communication-friendly strategies used school-wide
· Every child’s voice is listened to and valued
· Strong partnerships with families and specialists
· Expert support from Speech and Language Therapist Jen Campling
· High-quality interventions from our HLTA’s and TA’s
Our goal is for every child to be understood, confident, expressive and fully included.
Our Commitment
Becoming a Communication Friendly Setting strengthens our whole-school approach to communication. By developing all five principles and especially our current work on Principle 5: School Ethos, we aim to create a school where every child can communicate confidently and reach their full potential.
