Phonics & Reading
At Harris Garrard Academy, reading is at the heart of everything we do. From the moment your child starts with us, they are supported to become confident, fluent readers who have a genuine love for stories and poetry.
We use the trusted Read Write Inc. phonics programme, ensuring that every child is taught at the right level by our highly skilled team. Children read daily in school and bring home books carefully matched to their ability – so they can practise, succeed and feel proud.
Whilst a child is learning to read, they take home a mix of decodable phonics books, exciting ‘book bag books’, and a library book chosen for enjoyment – often one they’d love to share with you. We also provide QR code video links and handwriting sheets to support the children to acquire sound knowledge and reinforce what they are learning in school.
Download the presentation to Reception parents (September 2025). For more information about the Primary English Curriculum, please see our English subject page.
A culture of reading
Our Primary Library (pictured above) is made up of over 4,000 books, ranging from newly released graphic novels and poetry to ‘old and gold’ picture books. Through the Accelerated Reader programme, children track their progress and quiz weekly on their reading, which keeps motivation high and achievements celebrated.
Reading at HGA is more than a subject – it’s a culture. Children regularly perform poetry, take part in reading challenges and talk passionately about their favourite books and authors. Many become “Millionaire Readers” by reading over a million words each year and receive a badge and certificate!
We believe that when children love to read, they can achieve anything. Come and see for yourself how we make that happen.
What it means in action...
The students are proud of our reading culture at HGA. It underpins everything that we do because reading changes lives. Our students love to read! When we introduced Accelerated Reader, it used to be the minimum expectation that students read one book a week, but it is so much more than that. We have more Millionaire Readers than ever before and the word count totals for each class are really impressive!
What is new for 2025-26?
We are always looking for new ideas to encourage reading and this year there are three different reading challenge badges up for grabs if you complete your reading bookmark each term!
Help Me Spell
After the highly anticipated introduction of helpmespell.com, a website created last year by one of our Year 6 teachers, children use it to practise their spelling words each week. Who in each class will become the ‘Speller of the Week?’ and receive a certificate each Friday?
Vocabulary lists
Click on the links below to read the vocabulary lists for years 1-6.
Autumn 2 Term 2025
Autumn 1 Term 2025
