At St James’ CE Primary, we believe that reading is the most fundamental skill a child can learn. In a modern society, it shapes us as critical thinkers, learners and questioning citizens. Great stories develop imagination, equips the reader with language and allows greater interpretation of literature through the arts.

We have put together a ‘reading spine’ of high-quality stories from a range of different authors and across a variety of subjects and perspectives. These are a common bank of stories that will bind our school community together and create a shared world and experience in the minds of our pupils. By no means are these the only books the children will read during their time at school. But we want to guarantee the children have a working knowledge of these incredible works of fiction once they leave St James'.