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Phonics at Southglade Primary

At Southglade we use the Little Wandle : Letters and Sounds Scheme to teach phonics.

Phonics is prioritised at Southglade in Foundation and Key Stage One as the fundamental building blocks to enable reading to be developed throughout school

Phonics is the method of teaching children to read by linking sounds (phonemes) and the symbols that represent them (graphemes, or letter groups).

At Southglade Primary and Nursery School, phonics underpins all of our lessons across the curriculum in both Foundation Stage and Key Stage One. Our main aim is to ensure every child learns to read, and leaves Key Stage One with the ability to fluently decode a range of texts at an age appropriate level and beyond.

We have developed a curriculum where reading is the priority across all subjects, acting as the ‘golden thread’ which weaves through our planning. We aim to provide children with secure comprehension and fluency skills, and to expose them to a diverse range of vocabulary. 

The 'Little Wandle: Revised Letters and Sounds' phonics scheme provides the skills and consistent strategies to support children with accurate decoding.

Our Phonics Philosophy

At Southglade, we believe in the approach of 'Keep up, not catch up' when working through our phonics scheme. We therefore expose all children to all sounds regardless of ability. This ensures all children have the best chance to succeed and develop their reading fluency skills.

We understand it is essential to know where each child is with their phonics development. Teachers carry out ongoing assessment during the phonics sessions and provide extra support for children who need it - either during the session, later in the day or through intervention groups. This three tier approach is outlined below:

Green: Whole class initial teaching

Yellow: Instant keep up support during or following the session for any identified children

Red: Intervention groups for those pupils who still require further support to secure their understanding 

Learning to Read  

Within the 'Little Wandle' scheme there are three weekly reading sessions for all children, focused on decoding, prosody and fluency. Children read in a group with children at a similar level to them, and develop the confidence and skills to read independently. The books they read are at a difficulty level which matches the child's competency in phonics. After reading three times in school, children take the book home to practise their reading with a parent.

At the end of Year 1 children take the Statutory Phonics Screening Test, which they have been prepared for over the year, to ensure they are reading at an appropriate level for their age.

Our Phonics Structure

Phonics is taught in daily sessions from nursery onwards, for all children who are able to sit and focus on the adult leading the session. Children with Special Needs, Emotional, Behavioural or Physical needs will be supported as necessary, depending on their individual education plans. 

Phonics Phases

Nursery: Foundations for phonics 

Reception: Phase 2 - Phase 4

Year 1: Recap Phase 3/4 (Autumn 1), Phase 5

Year 2: Recap Phase 5, Little Wandle Bridge to Spelling

Working with parents

We know it is essential to work with parents to ensure they are able to work with and support their child at home with their phonics development. We send home a phonetically decodable book for children to read with their parents which supports consolidating the phonics sounds they have learnt. Class teachers can provide extra information and ideas for supporting children at home where needed.

Parent workshops, talks, parents evenings all provide opportunities to find out more about how phonics is taught in school and how to support children with reading at home.

Year 2 Little Wandle 'Bridge to spelling' 

Year 2 pupils who have successfully completed the Little Wandle phonics programme will start the Little Wandle spelling scheme. This recaps the final half term of phase 5 phonics from Year 1 and begins to teach the spelling rules from the National Curriculum which the children will need to know in KS2. 

Any child requiring support with phonics consolidation in Year 2 will either have an individualised plan or be able to access Rapid Catch up phonics sessions with a TA.

Rapid Catch Up in Key Stage 2

Pupils who require phonics provision in Year 3 or above  will join Rapid Catch Up phonics sessions at an appropriate level. These sessions are taught by TAs and include 3 times weekly reading groups. Children read age appropriate decodable books which they can also take home. Regular assessment helps to ensure children are progressing through the programme. Children who are not progressing may also receive other interventions such as Precision teaching and Toe by Toe.