Pathways

What does the National Curriculum say about comprehension?

The reading programme of study is based on the Simple View of Reading, where reading is treated as two interlinked elements – word reading and language comprehension. This Pathway focuses on the comprehension aspect of the Simple View of Reading.

The National Curriculum says:

“Good comprehension draws from linguistic knowledge (in particular of vocabulary and grammar) and on knowledge of the world. Comprehension skills develop through pupils’ experience of high-quality discussion with the teacher, as well as from reading and discussing a range of stories, poems and non-fiction. All pupils must be encouraged to read widely across both fiction and non-fiction to develop their knowledge of themselves and the world they live in, to establish an appreciation and love of reading, and to gain knowledge across the curriculum. Reading widely and often increases pupils’ vocabulary because they encounter words they would rarely hear or use in everyday speech. Reading also feeds pupils’ imagination and opens up a treasure house of wonder and joy for curious young minds.”

The National Curriculum sees progression in comprehension being provided primarily through the increasing challenge of the texts children read.

This Pathway, particularly Step 3, closely reflects the aspects of comprehension set out in the National Curriculum programmes of study.

Department for Education (2013) The National Curriculum in England: Framework document. © Crown Copyright 2013.