Our Intent

At Brookland Junior School, reading for pleasure is central to our school culture. We believe that every Brookland pupil is a reader and prioritise creating an environment where children are inspired to explore and enjoy literature in meaningful ways.

Whole-School Reading Strategy

Our Reading Strategy is a structured approach to building core comprehension skills through consistent, focused practice. Implemented four times a week, this strategy involves challenging, vocabulary-rich texts tailored to each age group. With a focus on six key comprehension skills—vocabulary, inference, prediction, explanation, retrieval, and summary—lessons encourage pupils to think critically and develop a deeper understanding of what they read. Each text is studied over two days, focusing on vocabulary, text discussion and ability to decode in the first session. Within the second session, pupils focus on the same text, exploring another reading lens to comprehend it in a deeper way. 

Daily Reading for Pleasure

To cultivate a genuine love for reading, we dedicate time every day to reading for pleasure after lunch. During this time, children are encouraged to choose their own texts—whether from the library, classroom reading corners, or books they’ve brought from home—and find comfortable spots to immerse themselves in their reading. Audiobooks are also available to support all learners, reinforcing our commitment to making reading enjoyable and accessible to everyone.

Exposure to Diverse Texts

Our school reading culture embraces a wide range of high-quality texts reflecting the diversity of our community and beyond. Each class shares a daily reader, curated to include a blend of classic literature and contemporary works across genres, authors, and cultures. This exposure broadens pupils’ perspectives, helps develop their empathy, and provides them with a foundation of stories, ideas, and experiences that inspire and engage.

Pupil-Centred Library and Reading Spaces

Our new, pupil-designed library is a vibrant space that celebrates pupil choice. Stocked with diverse books selected by the children and featuring artwork and book quotes they voted for, the library is managed by our team of student librarians. These dedicated volunteers work each lunchtime to organise, recommend, and share books, ensuring that reading is always accessible and inviting.

In addition to our library, pupils can explore books in our reading sheds, available every lunchtime as part of our OPAL (Outdoor Play and Learning) initiative. These sheds offer children a quiet, comfortable place to enjoy books outdoors, further emphasising that reading is for everyone, everywhere.

Accessible and Inviting Reading Environments

Reading at Brookland is woven into the daily routine. Each classroom has a cosy reading corner that children can access every day, filled with engaging books that are regularly refreshed to reflect their evolving interests. Additionally, every child visits the school library at least once a week, ensuring that all pupils have regular opportunities to select new books and enjoy time in this inspiring space.

Inspiring Events with Authors

We bring the world of reading to life through regular author visits, providing pupils with the chance to meet and engage with real authors. Every year, each class participates in an author-led assembly and workshop, where they listen to readings, ask questions, and explore the creative process. These experiences inspire our pupils and show them the joy and creativity of both reading and writing.

Through our commitment to accessible, enjoyable reading experiences, Brookland Junior School nurtures lifelong readers who are confident, curious, and passionate about exploring the world of literature.