Reading & phonics
Reading at Clifton Primary School
At Clifton, we believe that all children should be able to read a wide range of text types as a vehicle to life long learning. We therefore teach the skills of reading from the youngest age and promote a love of reading for a multitude of purposes.
Early Reading and Phonics
In Foundation stage and Key Stage 1 children are taught essential reading skills through Read, Write, inc. Children take part in daily phonics and reading sessions matched to their stage of development.
Children will learn sounds (phonemes) and the letters that represent them (graphemes). Then, when able to blend sounds to read some words, they read books containing sounds they have learned.
This therefore helps to build children’s confidence, fluency and enjoyment. Children continue on this programme until they can read most words fluently and accurately without the need to overtly sound out.
Reading Mastery
Throughout their primary education, children are taught skills to become masters of reading by developing their understanding of texts and love of reading.
Within these lessons the whole class read the same text with an emphasis on comprehension through carefully planned, skillful questioning by the teacher. Through this all children have access to high quality texts and are enabled to develop the skills of reading to learn.
“The expertise of staff ensures that pupils get the right help at the right time.”
— Ofsted, What it’s like to be a pupil at this school · February 2026
“Pupils are proud of their school, and there is a strong sense of belonging.”
— Ofsted, What it’s like to be a pupil at this school · February 2026
“Teachers have excellent subject knowledge.”
— Ofsted, Curriculum and teaching · February 2026
“Pupil premium funding is used extremely effectively.”
— Ofsted, Inclusion · February 2026
“Pupils achieve very well.”
— Ofsted, Achievement · February 2026
“They move on as articulate, kind and culturally aware young people.”
— Ofsted, What it’s like to be a pupil at this school · February 2026
“Pupils are respectful, happy and hardworking.”
— Ofsted, Attendance and behaviour · February 2026
“Leaders have a sharp and accurate understanding of the school’s context, strengths and priorities.”
— Ofsted, Leadership and governance · February 2026
“The curriculum is ambitious, creative and detailed across all subjects.”
— Ofsted, Curriculum and teaching · February 2026
“Pupils feel that they belong, and they grow both socially and academically.”
— Ofsted, Leadership and governance · February 2026
“Interactions between staff and children are of a consistently high quality.”
— Ofsted, Early years · February 2026
“They are well prepared for secondary school.”
— Ofsted, Achievement · February 2026
“Inclusion underpins all of the practice at Clifton Primary School.”
— Ofsted, Inclusion · February 2026
“Pupils thrive at Clifton Primary School.”
— Ofsted, Attendance and behaviour · February 2026
“Pupils are confident, resilient and empathetic.”
— Ofsted, Personal development and wellbeing · February 2026