Children in KS2 no longer belong to a colour book band. Once a child has successfully completed RWI phonics, they are fluent readers and have the skills to read a much broader range of books than scheme book band books.

All books from KS2, other than Classroom Library Books, have been collected in the school library. They have all been labelled either as Y3 & Y4 or Y5 & Y6 using a system called Lexile Levels which determines the language complexity of a book.
These books have then been categorised, like a real library, to allow children to choose books based on their preferences. Once they have chosen a category, they can easily check whether it is a 3/4 book or 5/6 book to determine whether it will be accessible for them.

This is an optional book that the children can choose if they wish. They do not necessarily need to be able to decode (read) it as it is more for their interest around a subject. These are mainly non-fiction books and are grouped into categories. Children do not necessarily need to be able to read these books as they are more for a topic that they are interested in.

We have eight librarians from across Y4 and Y5 who are chosen due to their love of reading. There are two from each house and they support the English Lead maintain the KS2 library. Each lunchtime, they give up a small amount of their time to carry out a variety of jobs to ensure the library is in full working order.

There is a new issue of the KS2 Library Newsletter that comes out every half term which contains a variety of features:

• Current news
• Staff recommendations – which links to a display within the library
• Author profile
• Most requested books from the children
• New Arrivals
As of June 2024, we only have one issue but we have big plans for the newsletter:
• Book reviews from the pupils
• Feedback from the Carmel Reading Assembly
• Librarians and Carmel House Leaders to co-write
• Celebrating children achieve Bronze, Silver, Gold and Governor’s Awards.

Issue #1: https://wsap.academy/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Issue-1.pdf

Children can write down any book, author or genre they would like the school to stock within the library. They are then collected and counted and the most popular choices are purchased for that half term. Most requested books are also shared in collective worships and the newsletter.

Every class has a set of Classroom Library Books; chosen because they are worth reading and re-reading– stories that children will love. We began with old favourites and then moved on to more recent literature. We also searched for stories that reflect different realities, so that our books are mirrors and windows for our children. Mirrors are books that contain story lines, characters, and experiences our children can see themselves in. They can make personal connections and feel seen and heard after reading a book. A book that is a window helps children to see into the life or experience of someone else.
In EYFS and KS1, these books supplement their RIWnc. decodable book, designed more to be read to by an adult. In KS2, these are children’s primary reading books along with books from the KS2 Library. Full lists can be found in the front of Reading Diaries and can be ticked off as the children progress.

Reading stories broadens children’s vocabulary and supports their wider understanding of language. Voracious readers can overcome inauspicious beginnings and drive their own learning. They increase their vocabulary and their knowledge. They understand the books they choose to read independently, because their good vocabulary supports. Such children have a significant advantage- we want all of the children at our school to have this advantage!

Class Librarians will show the children how to borrow books. Classroom library books have a sticker on the back of the book which helps school keep the books in order. Children can borrow a book for as long as they wish. One of our school rules is ‘Be Responsible,’ so we do expect books to be returned to school in good condition. If a book is not returned to school, then there is a £5 charge.
The books are not decodable for children in foundation and key stage 1 and they are not expected to read them independently. RWINC. scheme books support our children to learn how to read. Once children have completed the RWINC. scheme and can read fluently, they should be able to read the library books independently.

Each class has a collection of books that link to the various topics the children learn within each class, e.g. Romans in Y4, Electricity in Y6 etc. Children can bring these home as a secondary book which means it is not necessarily decodable.