Reading and guided reading policies (primary)

Find out what to include in your reading, guided reading and early reading policies, and see examples from schools.

Last reviewed on 26 July 2023
School types: AllSchool phases: AllRef: 41670
Contents
  1. What to include
  2. Examples of reading policies
  3. Examples of guided reading policies
  4. Examples of early reading policies

What to include

Your reading and/or guided reading policies should set out how you teach reading in your school. There's no set format, and this isn't an exhaustive list, but it's good practice for these policies to include:

  • Reading aims and intentions, including:
    • Why it’s important to teach reading
    • What you'd expect your pupils to achieve by the time they leave school
  • Strategies used to teach reading, guided reading and phonics across the school
  • How reading is planned 
  • How teachers assess reading 
  • How pupils with additional needs receive extra support

Note: although maintained schools are required to follow the National Curriculum while academies aren't, the reading and guided reading policies for both types of school are often quite similar.

Examples of reading policies

Examples of guided reading policies

Examples of early reading policies

Read our articles to learn more about teaching reading in your school