My name is Ms Safa Aslam and I am the Reading Specialist teacher at Bishop Road. I work closely with staff ensuring children are able to access and enjoy reading across the school.
At Bishop Road, Reading is the cornerstone of our school. Our structured approach to the teaching of reading ensures our children can read a broad range of literature. Teaching high quality synthetic phonics lessons using the Ruth Miskin ‘Read Write Inc’ scheme, including a range of decodable and high interest books, our children are immersed into the world of reading. During the school day we encourage our early readers to read often and foster a volition for reading. Comprehension skills and exploring a deeper sense of meaning are taught using the Oxford University Press Nelson scheme of work. With a broad range of texts, the Nelson scheme enables children to develop and progress across the school.
As a specialist Reading teacher, I work closely with staff and children who may require additional reading support. The children I work with are identified through a screening process involving close discussions with class teachers and Heads of year. Through the teaching of specific strategies and interventions, my role is to ensure reading opens doors of opportunities for our children. Your child may see me for Reading Recovery, Boost Reading @ Primary or a tailored intervention to suit their reading needs. By working closely with your child, I aim to create a reading experience that guarantees success and enjoyment.
Reading little and often helps support your child’s reading journey. By taking part in your child’s reading, you can support their application of reading skills further. Shared reading of a favourite book, diving into a high interest book or hearing your child read their school reading book, will all contribute towards their reading for pleasure.
If you would like to discuss your child’s reading journey further, you are welcome to contact me for more information or advice via the school office. (Tel. 0117 9030483)
Useful Links
How to support your child reading at home – a helpful handout including strategies that provide consistency for your child’s reading
Watch Sylvie pronounce phonics speed sounds set 1, 2 and 3 in Ruth Miskin’s How to help your child video
Visit Open University’s Reading for pleasure page to find a wonderful selection of texts and authors you may wish to read
Looking for the award winning book? OU Reading for Pleasure have collated a landing page for you to browse the shortlisted and winners of various prestigious awards here: https://ourfp.org/awards/