Phonics

At Brookfields Primary School we believe that for all our children to become fluent readers and writers, phonics must be taught through a systematic and structured phonics programme.

In September 2021 we started using the Little Wandle Letters and Sounds systematic synthetic phonics programme (SSP).

This is a fully comprehensive programme where children start learning single letter sounds in the Autumn Term of their Reception year and it builds in progression throughout Reception and Year One, preparing children for the statutory phonics screening that takes place at the end of year one.

We use the Little Wandle Letters and Sounds Revised to plan and provide daily engaging phonics lessons. In phonics, we teach children that the letters of the alphabet represent a different sound, that these can be used in a variety of combinations and are put together to make words. The children learn to recognise all of the different sounds and combinations that they might see when they are reading or writing. Our phonics teaching starts in Nursery 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. As a result, all our children are able to tackle any unfamiliar words that they might discover. At Brookfields we also model these strategies in shared reading and writing both inside and outside of 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.

How we teach phonics and Early Reading (Early Years and KS1)

• In the nursery, children follow the Little Wandle Letters and Sounds Revised ‘Foundations for Phonics’ guidance. The focus is on daily oral blending and language development through high quality stories and rhymes.
• In Reception and Y1, children follow the progression within Little Wandle Letters and Sounds Revised programme. Phonics is taught daily and there is a review session on a Friday.
• Phonics starts in reception in week 2 to ensure the children make a strong start.
• By the end of reception, children will have been taught up to the end of phase 4.
• By the end of Year 1, children will have been taught up to the end of phase 5.
• Children in Year 2 recap any gaps in their phonics knowledge in the autumn term.
• Reception lessons start at 15 minutes, with daily additional oral blending – increasing quickly to 30 minutes.
• Y1 lessons are 30 minutes long.

Reading practice sessions

• Children across reception, year 1, year 2 (and beyond if appropriate) apply their phonics knowledge by using a full 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.
• The children then take the same book home the following week to ensure success is shared with the family.
• In reception these sessions start in week 4. Children who are not yet blending take a wordless book home.

Rapid Catch-Up

• When pupils join Brookfields, a phonics assessment is completed to determine what support needs to be put in place to support progress.
• If a pupil is still in need of phonics support, we run rapid catch-up groups. Currently, we have rapid catch-up groups in Y3, Y4 and Y5. Assessment is carried out regularly to monitor progress and ensure pupils have the right support.

Blending Groups

• Where pupils struggle with blending, we have small blending groups in place to support pupils to develop this skill.
• We start to look at oral blending in early years.

Same Day Keep Up

• Where pupils need additional support outside the phonics lesson to stay on track with their learning, daily keep up is in place.
• Pupils are supported in lessons and class teachers identify those needing further support. These pupils then work in a smaller group to them to keep on track with current learning - post tutoring.

Below are some videos, which we used in our most recent parent workshops, to share how the sounds are made.

You may find these useful to support you to make the different sounds your child is learning.

You can access additional videos about our phonics scheme on the following webpages:

https://www.littlewandlelettersandsounds.org.uk/

Why not check out Little Wandle's parent page...

https://www.littlewandlelettersandsounds.org.uk/resources/for-parents/

Why not check out Little Wandle's youtube channel...

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCP_FbjYUP_UtldV2K_-niWw/videos