Working Together to Develop Confident, Happy Learners

At Winford Church of England Primary School, we believe that learning is most successful when children, parents and school work together.

Reading and homework provide valuable opportunities for children to practise important skills, develop independence and share their learning with their families.

Our approach is designed to support children's progress while recognising the importance of family time, play, hobbies and rest.

In keeping with our Christian vision, Together we Flourish, and our values of Aspire, Belong and Care, we want every child to develop confidence, curiosity and a lifelong love of learning.

Reading at Home – Five Times a Week

Our expectation is that every child reads at home at least five times each week.

Regular reading is one of the most important things families can do to support children's learning. It helps children develop fluency, vocabulary, comprehension, imagination and confidence.

Reading little and often is far more beneficial than one long reading session each week.

We encourage families to build reading into their daily routines, making it an enjoyable and positive experience.

What Counts as Reading at Home?

Reading at home can take many forms, depending on your child's age and stage of development.

It might include:

• Your child reading their school reading book aloud to an adult.

• Sharing a story and talking about the pictures or characters.

• Taking turns to read pages or paragraphs.

• Reading independently and discussing the book afterwards.

• Enjoying non-fiction books, comics, magazines or poetry.

• Reading recipes, instructions or other everyday texts.

For younger children who are still developing their phonics skills, practising their school reading book is particularly important.

For older, more fluent readers, independent reading and conversations about books are equally valuable.

The most important thing is that children read regularly, enjoy books and have opportunities to talk about what they have read.

Supporting Early Reading

When children are learning to read, regular practice helps them become more confident and fluent.

Children benefit from reading books that are closely matched to the phonics they have learned in school.

When listening to your child read:

• Encourage them to look carefully at the letters and sounds.

• Give them time to sound out and blend unfamiliar words.

• Avoid guessing words from pictures or the first letter alone.

• Praise their effort and perseverance.

• Encourage them to reread familiar books to build fluency.

• Talk about what has happened in the story.

• Keep reading sessions short, relaxed and enjoyable.

It is perfectly normal for children to read the same book several times. Rereading helps children develop fluency, expression and confidence.

Please continue reading stories aloud to your child, even when they begin reading independently. Listening to books introduces children to new vocabulary, more complex stories and the pleasure of reading.

Supporting Developing and Fluent Readers

As children become more confident readers, they begin to focus less on decoding individual words and more on understanding, interpreting and enjoying texts.

Children benefit from reading a wide range of books, including fiction, non-fiction, poetry, graphic novels and magazines.

You can support your child by talking about their reading.

Try asking:

• What has happened in the story so far?

• What do you think might happen next?

• Why do you think the character behaved that way?

• What clues helped you work that out?

• Have you come across any interesting new words?

• Would you recommend this book to someone else? Why?

For older children who prefer to read independently, a short conversation about their book is a valuable way to show interest and develop comprehension.

We encourage children to explore different authors, genres and subjects and discover the books they genuinely enjoy.

Developing a Love of Reading

At Winford, we want children to become readers who choose to read for pleasure, not simply because they have been asked to.

Our school library and classroom reading areas provide opportunities for children to discover new books and develop their interests.

We recognise that children have different reading preferences. Some enjoy adventure stories or novels, while others prefer factual books, comics, graphic novels or books linked to their hobbies.

All reading is valuable.

Families can encourage reading for pleasure by:

• Visiting the local library.

• Allowing children to choose books that interest them.

• Sharing favourite stories.

• Talking about books they have enjoyed.

• Making time for reading as part of everyday family life.

• Letting children see adults enjoying reading too.

Our aim is for every child to leave Winford with the confidence, skills and enthusiasm to enjoy reading throughout their lives.

Homework at Winford

Practising, Consolidating and Building Independence

Homework provides opportunities for children to revisit and practise learning from school.

We believe homework should be purposeful, manageable and appropriate for children's ages and stages of development.

Our priority is regular reading at home, alongside opportunities to practise essential skills and consolidate classroom learning.

Depending on the year group, homework may include:

• Reading at least five times each week.

• Practising phonics and spelling patterns.

• Learning multiplication tables and number facts.

• Consolidating mathematical skills.

• Completing short activities linked to classroom learning.

• Researching or exploring topics of interest.

• Developing independence and responsibility.

The type and amount of additional homework will vary according to children's year groups and learning needs.

Class teachers will share specific homework routines and expectations with families.

Homework in Reception and Key Stage 1

In Reception and Years 1 and 2, learning at home should be practical, enjoyable and manageable.

The main priorities are developing positive reading habits and securing the foundations of early literacy and mathematics.

Valuable activities include:

• Reading together at least five times a week.

• Practising phonics and early reading skills.

• Sharing stories, songs and rhymes.

• Counting, sorting and recognising numbers.

• Playing simple number and board games.

• Practising spelling patterns where appropriate.

• Developing independence through everyday activities.

Short, regular activities are often much more effective than lengthy homework sessions.

We want children to enjoy learning and feel proud of their progress.

Homework in Key Stage 2

In Years 3 to 6, homework helps children consolidate important knowledge and develop greater independence.

Particular areas of focus include:

• Reading at least five times a week.

• Developing reading fluency, comprehension and vocabulary.

• Practising spelling patterns and key vocabulary.

• Learning and recalling multiplication tables.

• Developing fluency with number facts and calculations.

• Completing additional tasks set by class teachers.

As children progress through Key Stage 2, we encourage them to take increasing responsibility for organising and completing their homework.

However, encouragement and interest from parents and carers remain important, even when children are working more independently.

Making Homework a Positive Experience

We recognise that family routines can be busy and that children have different needs when it comes to learning at home.

Homework should support learning rather than become a source of anxiety or conflict.

Some simple approaches can help:

• Establish a routine: Find a regular time that works for your family.

• Keep sessions manageable: Short, focused activities are often most effective.

• Create a calm environment: Reduce distractions where possible.

• Encourage independence: Support your child without doing the work for them.

• Celebrate effort: Praise perseverance, improvement and achievement.

• Make learning enjoyable: Use games, practical activities and everyday experiences.

• Know when to stop: If your child becomes tired or frustrated, take a break.

Reading can be particularly enjoyable as part of a bedtime routine or a quiet moment together.

When Your Child Finds Reading or Homework Difficult

We understand that children learn at different rates and that some may find reading or homework challenging.

If your child is struggling, please let their class teacher know.

This might be because:

• They find their reading book too difficult.

• They are reluctant or anxious about reading.

• They do not understand the homework task.

• The work is taking much longer than expected.

• They need additional resources or support.

• Homework is causing frustration or distress at home.

We would much rather know when something is difficult than have a child lose confidence or become upset.

Teachers can offer guidance, clarify expectations or make appropriate adjustments.

Our shared aim is to help children become confident learners who feel supported and successful.

Learning Beyond Homework

We recognise that children learn valuable skills through many everyday experiences.

Activities such as cooking, gardening, shopping, playing games, visiting new places and taking part in sport or music all contribute to children's development.

These experiences help children develop communication, problem-solving, independence, creativity and an understanding of the world.

We also recognise the importance of play, friendships, outdoor activity and family time.

While we encourage regular reading and purposeful homework, we want children to have a healthy balance between learning, relaxation and other interests.

Working Together

Parents and carers play a vital role in helping children develop positive learning habits.

Class teachers will share information about homework, reading and relevant learning activities through class communications, including ClassDojo.

If you have questions about homework, reading books or how best to support your child, please speak to their class teacher.

By working together, we can help children develop confidence, independence and a genuine enjoyment of learning.

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Together we Flourish

Aspire • Belong • Care

Reading regularly, growing in confidence and developing a lifelong love of learning.