Leanne Squires, Phonics Lead
Our Vision
At Alfreton Park, we believe that reading is more than a skill – it is a bridge to independence. We place reading at the core of our provision because it unlocks learning in all subjects and contributes significantly to pupils’ social, emotional, cultural, and future development.
Through our Reading for Connection pledge, we commit to placing reading at the heart of our school culture. We will champion stories that reflect every pupil’s voice and introduce them to worlds beyond their own. We will read together – for joy, for knowledge, for comfort, and for understanding.
We are committed to:
- Nurturing a deep love of reading in every pupil, recognising that enjoyment is the foundation of lifelong literacy.
- Sharing diverse books that connect us to different lives, experiences, and perspectives – serving as mirrors to reflect our pupils’ own identities, cultures, and experiences, and as windows into the lives, perspectives, and histories of others.
- Protecting daily time for reading, including DEAR time, because we know reading matters.
- Building a community where children, staff, and families read together and grow together.
- Using reading to inspire writing, thinking, and empathy across the curriculum.
Reading at Alfreton Park is not only about literacy, but about preparing every pupil for their adult lives:
Employment – enabling pupils to access training and future work opportunities through functional reading, such as timetables, instructions, and digital communication.
Independent Living – supporting pupils to manage personal life skills such as reading bills, labels, recipes, and transport information.
Community Inclusion – equipping pupils to engage fully in their communities through reading signs, menus, newsletters, and cultural texts that connect them to others.
Health – empowering pupils to make informed decisions by reading health information, appointment letters, and medication instructions.
