Each class has a class library with a range of books that each child can choose from to take a library book home to read each week for pleasure. Our children enjoy choosing any book they wish to read at home from a selection of library books each class has to offer.

Aspiration curriculum driver: children have access to a range of books which encourages them to aspire to become fluent, confident readers.

Equality, Diversity and Inclusion

At St Mary’s, we recognise the importance of preparing children for life in modern Britain and promoting values that are an integral part of 21st century British society. The core British values are: mutual respect and beliefs, tolerance of those with different faiths, democracy, rule of law and individual liberty. These values are promoted and reinforced through reading and writing in a number of ways.

We encourage children, parents, governors, teaching and support staff to show respect, kindness and consideration to all and read books in English lessons and through our class library to promote this. We learn with and from one another; creating a school environment which nurtures the whole child and enables each one of us to realise their full potential.
Through our class books, texts in English, class library books, Author of the Month texts and Pleasure for Reading books we look at a range of texts which promote British Values, Diversity and Equality. We look at different cultures and how we are all different including reading stories about children from different backgrounds, cultures and books with characters who have different disabilities.

Have a look at some of the book’s children can read in school:

Nursery:

But Why Can’t I? – A book about rules Sue Graves and Desideria Guicciardini
Red Rockets and Rainbow Jelly by Sue Heap and Nick Sharratt
So Much: by Trish Cooke
Two Monsters David McKee

Reception:

But Why Can’t I? – A book about rules Sue Graves and Desideria Guicciardini
Making Friends: Emily Learns About Tolerance Deborah Chancellor and Elif Balta Parks.
Lulu’s First Day by Anna McQuinn
Queen Munch and Queen Nibble by Carol Ann Duffy

Year 1:

The Election Eleanor Levenson and Marek Jagucki
Dogs Don’t Do Ballet Anna Kemp and Sara Ogilvie
The Queen’s Handbag (The Queen Collection)
We’re All Wonders Paperback by R J Palacio
Mermaid by Cerrie Burnell

Year 2:

Mr Creep the Crook Allan Ahlberg and Andre Amstutz
The Demon Headmaster by Gillian Cross
What Happened to You? by James Catchpole
Katie In London Paperback – by James Mayhe

Year 3:

Atticus Claw Breaks the Law Jennifer Gray and Mark Ecob
Cyborg Cat: Rise of the Parsons Road Gang by Ade Adepitan
The Boy Who Grew Dragons Andy Shepherd & Sara Ogilvie

Year 4:

The Accidental Prime Minister Tom McLaughlin
Gracie Fairshaw and the Mysterious Guest
Brand New Boy by David Almond