East Park Infant School
Introduction
East Park Infant School is a large three form Infant School with an 80 place Nursery located a mile from the centre of Wolverhampton, a City in the West Midlands. We serve a lively, vibrant and diverse community that enjoys a stimulating social and ethnic mix. Our strong End of Key Stage 1 Results demonstrates high attainment as well as good progress from initial starting points.
Why do we like ORT?We donšt just like ORT we LOVE it! We love ORT because it is simply the best reading scheme available!
The stories are real stories about real people! The humour and vitality of the text and the illustrations engage children and adults alike making the reading experience a valued shared one. There is a vast pool of relevant and stimulating resources to support the personalisation of all pupils' reading ensuring success and enjoyment.
It is the only scheme that we know that we would consider as being children's literature - the fact that it is a scheme is not relevant. These are real books! Real books with the bonus of being able to support a structured approach to the reading experience are unique. The concept of the Reading Tree as imagined and realised by Rod and Alex is inspired! And in turn it inspires children to read and to enjoy what they are reading!
How does it work for us at East Park Infants?We use the scheme as a part of a whole school approach to reading and literacy. ORT is a core element of our reading programme. Children begin being introduced to the characters and the world of ORT in our Nursery and Foundation Classes. We include our parents and carers in this process in a series of shared workshops and with school produced resources as part of our induction programme. To miss out this vital stage would scupper the chance of the success the children enjoy from the beginning of their reading experiences. The books follow a School determined structure to support the introduction of sight vocabulary, and in the later stages other taught reading strategies. Given the vast amount and scope of the books available at each stage of ORT the School is easily able to determine which books it will use for home as well as those solely for focused School needs and purposes (such as guided reading and assessment).
And all the books are enjoyed at all the times they are being read!
Which areas has it had the most impact?In all areas! It really depends on the child and that child's needs. In our experience ORT has the answers. We can honestly say that every child has thrived with ORT! The end of Key Stage 1 outcomes speak for themselves! But perhaps it is in the real reading progress that each child can make using ORT that the most significant impact is seen.
Most importantly every child learns to be a reader as well as learns to read with ORT. All children make real progress with their reading! We have seen this progress with every cohort we have had who have had ORT from the start of their time here at EPIS. The difference ORT has made with reading and reading success is fantastic!
Which strand of ORT do we like best?Our school is split into areas. Each area has its own selection of reading books. Reception has half the packs from Stage 1 to Stage 7. They also have All Stars pack 1. Key Stage 1 has half the packs from Stage 1 to Stage 10. They have All Stars pack 1 and 2. Lower Key Stage 2 has half the packs from Stage 7 to Stage 10.
The class teacher gives each child one or two books from ORT on a weekly basis. I designed a record sheet which the teachers use to record which books the child has read. At some point during the week the children will be asked to read their home reading book to an adult in school.
The children can be moved up a stage once they have read all the books in that stage or the teacher feels they need more challenge.
What has been the impact in our school?That depends totally on the child and the reader! Usually it is the book they have just finished! It is only at the end of KS1 when most have reached the end of ORT that the children are able to tell you which is their favourite! And that is a very diverse response!
PS: The Head Teacher loves the series of stories that leads to the discovery of magic key! (And all the stories that follow!) And we are really looking forward to using Song Birds in Year 1!
How long have we been using it?Can it be 20 happy, enjoyable and productive years already?! It only seems like yesterday when we started our wonderful journey of discovery with ORT and the Oxford University Press! ORT is evergreen - it is always engaging and it is always exciting. As with a favourite traditional folk tale or well-loved fairy story, you want to read the books of ORT again and again and again!
Which years do use it in ?All! And everyone loves ORT at EPIS!
