reading at kings park school
At Kings Park School, we believe that every learner can develop a positive relationship with reading.
Reading is about much more than books. It helps our learners communicate, understand the world around them, express their ideas and become more confident and independent. Whether a learner is reading a story, listening to an audiobook, following a recipe, exploring a magazine or helping to write a shopping list, every reading experience matters.
Our Approach to Reading
We understand that learners arrive at KPS with different experiences, abilities and feelings about reading. Some may already enjoy reading independently, while others may find it difficult or associate it with previous frustration.
Our approach is supportive, personalised and free from unnecessary pressure. We meet each learner at their individual starting point and help them build the skills, confidence and curiosity needed to progress.
Reading at KPS may include:
- Individual and shared reading
- Phonics and word-reading activities
- Listening to audiobooks
- Stories linked to learners’ interests
- Comics, magazines and graphic novels
- Poetry, songs and rhymes
- Reading instructions, recipes, signs and timetables
- Using technology to make reading more accessible
- Opportunities to recommend and discuss books
- Regular reading across the wider curriculum
Learners are encouraged to explore different formats and discover what reading means to them.
Reading Across Our Pathways
Reading is adapted to suit each learner’s pathway, communication needs and stage of development.
Learners may develop early communication and attention skills through sensory stories, songs, symbols and shared experiences. Others may focus on phonics, comprehension, vocabulary and reading fluency. Older learners are supported to apply their reading skills to qualifications, everyday life and preparation for adulthood.
White Reading Ducks
Our White Reading Ducks help us celebrate learners who show effort, enthusiasm and a growing love of reading.
Learners can earn White Reading Ducks by:
- Reading independently
- Reading with an adult or family member
- Listening to an audiobook
- Completing a weekly reading challenge
- Sharing a book recommendation
- Talking about something they have read
- Trying a new type of reading material
- Showing perseverance when reading feels difficult
- Doing anything that demonstrates a love of reading
White Reading Ducks can be spent in our Duck Shop on books and other reading-related items. This gives learners the opportunity to choose something that genuinely interests them and helps reading remain positive, rewarding and enjoyable.
Reading at Home
Families play an important part in helping learners develop a positive relationship with reading. Reading at home doesn’t need to mean sitting down with a traditional book.
It could include:
- Sharing a bedtime story
- Listening to an audiobook together
- Reading a recipe while cooking
- Looking at a comic or magazine
- Reading instructions for a game
- Helping to make a shopping list
- Reading signs while out and about
- Talking about a favourite character or story
Our Reading and Communication Diaries can be used to record and celebrate these experiences. We encourage families to tell us about any form of reading their child has enjoyed so that we can recognise their achievement in school.
Every Reading Journey Matters
At KPS, we don’t compare one learner’s reading journey with another’s. We celebrate individual progress, whether that means engaging with a sensory story, recognising a new sound, completing a first book or confidently recommending a favourite author.
Through encouragement, meaningful choices and our White Reading Ducks, we aim to help every learner discover that reading can be accessible, enjoyable and rewarding.
Every page is progress, and every reading journey matters.
