At Adderley Primary School we provide a consistent and systematic approach to early reading through Phonics – Little Wandle Letters and Sounds Revised Programme. We offer an inclusive and ambitious phonics programme that enables all pupils, including those with SEND, EAL, and disadvantaged backgrounds, to develop proficiency, achieve their potential, and succeed in reading and writing.
Phonics is an integral part of the reading curriculum at Adderley Primary. It focuses on the initial stage of learning to read at the beginning of EYFS and continues into Key Stage 1. It underpins and develops pupils’ early reading skills which are needed to decode, recognise and comprehend written language.
Purpose and Aims of the Subject
The aim of phonics is to support pupils in developing reading and writing skills by understanding the relationship between letters and sounds. Through phonics, pupils learn that words are composed of individual sounds which are represented by letters or combinations of letters. By recognising these sounds and blending them together, pupils are able to decode and read unfamiliar words. Phonics also enables pupils to segment words into individual sounds, which supports accurate spelling. Overall, phonics plays a significant role in the development of early literacy skills, fostering confidence and supporting pupils in becoming fluent and independent readers.
Tricky words are a pivotal part of Phonics teaching; it enables pupils to read and write words that cannot be easily decoded using standard phonics rules. These words often occur frequently in texts, and the ability to recognise them automatically supports fluent reading and accurate writing.
The application of phonics in writing supports pupils in developing their spelling and early composition skills. By using their knowledge of phonemes (sounds) and graphemes (letters or groups of letters that represent sounds), pupils are able to segment words into individual sounds and select the appropriate graphemes to record them in writing. As pupils become more fluent at reading, they learn to apply their phonics knowledge when spelling unfamiliar words, which promotes greater accuracy, confidence, and independence in their writing.
How the Subject is Taught in Practice
Phonics is taught every day in the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS), Key Stage 1 (KS1), and to pupils in Years 3–6 who require Phonics skills. The programme is organised into five progressive phases, taught in order from EYFS through Year 1, to help children build a strong foundation in reading. By the end of EYFS, all pupils are expected to have mastered Phase 4, which helps them blend and segment sounds in words. By the end of Year 1, pupils are expected to be secure in Phase 5, where they learn more complex graphemes and alternative pronunciation.
Pupils with special educational needs are supported through a SEND Phonics programme, with learning adapted to their individual pace and reading ability. Pupils who have gaps in their phonics knowledge receive extra support through Rapid Catch-Up or Daily Keep-Up sessions to help them close those gaps and reinforce their learning.
Guided Reading in EYFS and Year 1
Guided Reading focuses on decoding, prosody and comprehension. Pupils are introduced to these key skills over the course of the week linking to their Phonics Phase. Decoding is the process of reading a word by translating the written letters (graphemes) into their corresponding sounds (phonemes) and blending them together to say the word correctly. It is a key skill that helps children read unfamiliar words independently.
Prosody refers to the way a reader uses expression, intonation, and rhythm to bring a text to life. It involves reading with the appropriate pitch rather than reading word by word in a flat or monotone manner. Prosody is an important part of fluent reading, because it shows that a reader is not only decoding the words but also understanding the meaning and flow of the text.
Comprehension is the ability to understand and make sense of what is read. It goes beyond simply decoding words, requiring children to think about the text, understand its meaning, and connect ideas. Comprehension involves skills such as identifying the main idea, recalling important details, making predictions and relating the text to one’s own experiences or knowledge. In early reading, comprehension develops once children can decode words fluently, allowing them to focus on understanding and enjoying the story or information rather than just reading the words.
Home Readers
All pupils in the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) and Year 1, as well as those in Years 2–6 who are being monitored for phonics progress, are read with by an adult at least twice weekly to reinforce key reading skills and ensure consistent development. Pupils take home a book that is carefully matched to their phonics phase, which they are encouraged to read after engaging with it three times during Guided Reading sessions and twice with staff, alongside daily phonics lessons. This approach allows pupils to consolidate their decoding, fluency, and comprehension skills, while also promoting reading confidence and enjoyment. Regular exposure to appropriately challenging texts, combined with adult support and structured phonics instruction, ensures that pupils develop a strong foundation for independent reading and continue to make progress in their literacy development.
Outcomes of the Curriculum and Assessment
All pupils are expected to be assessed by teaching staff by the end of every half term in EYFS and Year 1. In EYFS, Little Wandle assessments are used to monitor and track pupils’ progress in phonics. In Year 1, pupils complete mock Phonics Screening Check tests to ensure they are making appropriate progress and to identify and address any gaps in learning on an ongoing basis.
From Years 2 to 6, pupils are assessed every half term to monitor their phonics knowledge. These assessments enable teaching staff to identify gaps in learning and plan targeted support. This ensures pupils are provided with opportunities to develop their phonics skills and work towards achieving fluency in reading.
Phonics Screening Check
The Phonics Screening Check is a statutory assessment for pupils in Year 1. It is designed to assess pupils’ ability to decode words using their phonics knowledge. During the assessment, pupils are asked to read 40 words, which include a mixture of real words and pseudo words.