The Teaching of Phonics

At Forestdale Primary School the teaching of phonics and reading is a high priority and children begin their learning as soon as they arrive from Early Years. We believe reading is the most important skill and phonics is the foundation for this in order to ensure that children can read fluently, accurately and have the ability to understand the text they have read.  

The school follows the government published programme Little Wandle Letters and Sounds Revised (2021) SSP. We follow their progression, planning and teaching delivery and methods to ensure our children learn to read as quickly as reasonably possible. This in turn means that children can then use their reading skills to support the rest of their learning.

Phonics lessons in Reception, Year 1 and Year 2

Reception, Year 1 and Year 2 children take part in daily phonic lessons which lasts 30 minutes. In Reception, we build from 10-minute lessons, with additional daily oral blending games, to the full-length lesson as quickly as possible. Each Friday, we review the week’s teaching to help children become fluent readers. Lessons are well paced, highly engaging and require all children to be active participants in their learning. Our expectations of progression are aspirational yet achievable; children who are not keeping up with their peers are given additional practise immediately through keep-up sessions.

Reading in school and at home

Children enjoy a range of multi-sensory resources to support their phonics learning. On-going assessment of children's progress takes place half termly and the books children read in school and take home to read are fully decodable and matched to children's secure phonics knowledge. As well as receiving two fully decodable books, children take home two non-decodable book for sharing that can be either read to or with them. These books play an essential role in developing a love of reading; an important distinction is that these books are being shared with the children. 

Phonics Screening Check

The National Phonics Screening Check is performed in June of Year 1. The purpose of the screening check is to confirm that all children have learned phonic decoding to an age-appropriate standard. The children who did not meet the required standard for the check in year 1 enter again in year 2 with additional support.

Useful websites to help with your child's phonics