Reading at Upwell Academy

At Upwell Academy, the intent of the CUSP Reading curriculum is to ensure that every pupil becomes a confident, fluent, and thoughtful reader. The curriculum is designed to immerse pupils in rich and diverse literature, fostering a lifelong love of reading. It aims to build strong foundations through explicit vocabulary instruction, prosodic reading strategies, and opportunities for deep thinking. By exposing pupils to a wide range of texts and themes, including those that reflect modern social issues and diverse perspectives, the curriculum supports pupils in making sense of the world around them and developing empathy and critical thinking skills.

Implementation

The CUSP Reading curriculum is implemented through a structured and sequenced approach across all year groups. Each unit follows a two-week block that includes core and supplementary texts, with daily lessons focusing on vocabulary, fluency, and comprehension. Teachers use a six-phase instructional model—Connect, Explain, Example, Attempt, Apply, and Challenge—based on Rosenshine’s Principles of Instruction. Knowledge Notes guide pupils through each lesson phase, promoting consistency and clarity. Prosodic reading strategies such as echo reading, repeated reading, and performance reading are embedded to enhance fluency. Adaptive practices and scaffolding ensure accessibility for all learners, and thematic mapping helps pupils make connections across texts and subjects.

Impact

The impact of the CUSP Reading curriculum at Upwell Academy is evident in pupils’ improved reading fluency, vocabulary acquisition, and comprehension skills. Pupils demonstrate positive attitudes towards reading and are able to engage in meaningful discussions about texts. They apply target vocabulary in their written responses, indicating deep understanding and retention. The curriculum’s cyclical structure allows for regular revisiting of core competencies, ensuring mastery over time. Monitoring tools such as the Subject Leader Matrix and Pupil Book Study framework support ongoing evaluation and refinement, ensuring that the curriculum continues to meet the needs of all pupils and prepares them for future academic success.