Phonics and Early Reading
Subject Leader: Mrs H Taylor - taylorh@saintgeorgescofe.kent.sch.uk
At Saint George's CofE Primary Phase, Phonics is taught using the structure of our systematic synthetic programme ‘Little Wandle Letters & Sounds’.
Intent
The children learn to recognise all the different sounds and combinations that they might see when they are reading or writing. Our phonics teaching starts as soon as the children start in Reception and follows a very specific sequence that allows our children to build on their previous phonic knowledge and master specific phonic strategies as they move through school.
Implementation
At Saint George’s, we use the ‘Little Wandle Letters and Sounds Revised’ programme to plan and provide daily engaging phonics lessons. In Phonics, we teach children that the letters of the alphabet represent a different sound, and that these can be used in a variety of combinations and are put together (through blending) to make words.
Children across reception, year 1, and year 2 (and beyond if appropriate) apply their phonics knowledge by using a fully matched decodable reader in a small group reading practice session. These sessions are 15 minutes long and happen three times a week. There are approximately 6 children in a group. The sessions follow the model set out in ‘Little Wandle Letters and Sounds Revised’. Children who are not decoding, take part in an extra blending lesson, following the model set out in ‘Little Wandle Letters and Sound Revised’.
Impact
As a result, our aim is for all our children to tackle any unfamiliar words that they might discover. At Saint George’s we also model these strategies in shared reading and writing both inside and outside the phonics lesson and across the curriculum. We have a strong focus on the development of language skills for our children because we know that speaking and listening are crucial skills for reading and writing in all subjects.
Phonics at EYFS Stage
Phases 2, 3 and 4 are taught in Reception.
Children in Reception and Year 1 will participate in Reading Practice Sessions with a teacher. The books the children will be reading in these sessions are the Big Cat Little Wandle Books. These books will be carefully matched to the child’s current reading level. The children will read the same book three times, focusing on different reading skills in each session.
Phonics at Key Stage One
In year one, we will review phases 3 and 4. We will start to introduce phase 5.
Children in Reception and Year 1 will participate in Reading Practice Sessions with a teacher. The books the children will be reading in these sessions are the Big Cat Little Wandle Books. These books will be carefully matched to the child’s current reading level. The children will read the same book three times, focusing on different reading skills in each session.
Phonics at Key Stage Two
If the children need further support in their Phonics when they move into KS2, they will be put in an intervention that is tailored to them.
Assessments
Pupils in year 1 will sit the phonics screening test in the summer term. Any children who do not meet the threshold mark for this test will be given additional support. They will then resit the test in year 2.
SEND Information
Our SEND and disadvantaged pupils are given the necessary support in class to fully access the supported Phonics curriculum. Learning is adapted where necessary to support SEND/EAL pupils to give equal opportunities for all to be confident in approaching any problems faced. Interventions, support and challenges are constantly revised and adapted to ensure all children are supported in achieving learning. The above areas are robustly and continuously monitored to ensure any gaps in learning are addressed.
Remote Learning/Catch-up Sessions
Any children that have been identified through assessment as falling behind are identified quickly for daily small group or individual catch-up sessions to ensure that they catch up quickly. Parents are informed when their children are falling behind and are given resources to help support their children at home.
Extra Resources
If you are a parent and would like more information as to how you can support your child at home with their phonics learning, please follow this link: