Phonics

In Reception and Key Stage 1, we use the validated phonics SSP programme ‘Little Wandle- Letters and Sounds Revised’ to structure our phonics teaching and assessment. As part of the programme, children participate in daily phonics sessions and read within a guided reading group three times per week. These sessions focus on developing the skills of decoding, reading fluently and with prosody and comprehension. Guided reading books are carefully chosen based on the children’s current phonic understanding through regular assessment opportunities. All our early reading books are matched to the phonics programme and children only read books containing words that they can confidently sound and blend using their phonic knowledge.

At the end of Year 1, pupils take the Statutory Phonics test which consists of reading real and alien words to assess their decoding skills. In Year 2, children start to look at spelling rules and patterns detailed in the National Curriculum and we send home ‘The Headstart Programme’ spellings in line with this each week for children in Key stage 1. Their knowledge and understanding of these rules are assessed through the application of the words into their independent writing and a weekly spelling test within a spelling lesson each Friday.

Here are some ‘Little Wandle’ ressouces for you to download and help you to support your child at home.