Reading
The Black Country Schools Federation
At The Black Country Schools, reading is the foundation of our curriculum and our ambition. We believe that confident, fluent readers unlock not just the curriculum — but the world. Reading gives our children the vocabulary, knowledge, and critical thinking they need to become articulate, informed, and empowered citizens.
Through our adoption of the CUSP Reading Curriculum, developed with national expert Julie Sherrington and adapted to reflect our local context, we ensure that every pupil experiences a rich, broad, and ambitious reading journey from Nursery to Year 6.
Curriculum Intent
Our reading curriculum ensures that pupils:
- Build fluency through systematic prosodic reading instruction
- Acquire and apply rich vocabulary to communicate with precision
- Engage deeply with high-quality texts, developing comprehension and critical thinking
- Make connections across books, themes, and wider curriculum knowledge
- Develop personal responses and a lifelong love of reading
Curriculum Architecture
The CUSP Reading Curriculum is structured into 18 two-week blocks per year group, combining core and supplementary texts. Each lesson includes:
- Explicit Vocabulary Instruction – unlocking complex language
- Prosodic Reading Strategies – building fluency, confidence, and expression
- Thinking Hard Tasks – encouraging analysis, inference, and synthesis
In Key Stage 2, pupils engage in daily 30–40 minute reading lessons. In Key Stage 1, these lessons are woven across the fortnight alongside phonics and writing.
At Brockmoor Primary, we use Read Write Inc. to deliver high-quality phonics.
At Brierley Hill Primary, we use Little Wandle to provide a consistent and rigorous approach to early reading.
EYFS: CUSP Early Foundations
Our Early Years reading curriculum is built around structured storytime. We carefully select and sequence texts that build vocabulary, develop oracy, and instil a love of reading from the very start.
- Weekly texts are selected from a federation-wide spine, mapped across Nursery and Reception, with story themes linked to core knowledge.
- Drama, fluency, and oracy are embedded in practice, ensuring children experience reading as joyful, purposeful, and powerful.
Our Federation Literature Spine
We have curated a federation-wide reading spine to reflect the communities, heritage, and aspirations of the Black Country. This includes:
- CUSP Core Texts across all year groups
- Thematic links to Science, History, Geography and PSHE
- Texts that reflect diversity, promote empathy, and explore societal issues
Our spine has been adapted using Schools’ Choice modules, ensuring representation, local relevance, and balance. Please contact us for the most up-to-date list.
Lesson Design: The CUSP Six Phases
Every reading lesson follows the six-phase model:
- Connect – activate prior knowledge
- Explain – teach key vocabulary and concepts
- Example – model how to apply strategies
- Attempt – guided practice with support
- Apply – independent practice
- Challenge – higher-order thinking and personal response
This consistent structure allows pupils to build fluency, deepen comprehension, and develop independence as readers.
Adaptive Practice and Inclusion
All pupils, regardless of background or starting point, are supported to succeed through:
- Dual Knowledge Notes (Advancing and Securing)
- Scaffolded questioning and structured fluency tasks
- Strategic use of pre-reading and repeated reading
- Diverse texts that reflect our pupils’ lived experiences
Monitoring, Evaluation, and Excellence
Reading is rigorously monitored through pupil book studies, learning walks, and fluency audits. Staff training is underpinned by the CUSP Subject Leader Handbook and CPD suite.
Further Information
For:
- Curriculum Overviews and Knowledge Notes
- Literature Spine and Thematic Mapping
To arrange a visit or find out more about CUSP Reading, contact the Unity team at cusp@unitysp.co.uk
