Phonics

At Holwell, we believe reading is the key to success in becoming life long learners, it underpins children's access to the curriculum. Children begin their school life by learning to read, and when they become fluent readers, they are able to use this skill to move on to reading to learn. To be able to read, children need to be taught an efficient strategy to decode words, this strategy is Phonics. Phonics at Holwell is taught and practised regularly until children are able to read words automatically and fluently.

How do we teach Phonics at Holwell?

Phonics at Holwell is implemented through the teaching of daily, discreet Phonics sessions. This is the prime approach to reading for all children. We follow the Little Wandle Letters and Sounds Revised programme which is a complete systematic synthetic phonics programme (SSP) developed for schools.  Lessons are taught daily to all children within Reception to Year 2. Children within Key Stage 2 who have not mastered the phonics code, will also receive daily phonics. Our approach to the teaching of Phonics is consistent across the school. Lessons are 20 minutes and taught through an interactive, multisensory Phonics session led by Class Teachers and Teaching Assistants. These compromise of discreet teaching and opportunities to practice and apply new learning. Staff use the same vocabulary and resources consistently. 

Click here to visit the 'Little Wandle' website.  

Click here to read our phonics and reading policy to find out more about how we teach phonics. 

Here is an overview of the progression of sounds and tricky words that are taught in Reception and Year 1:

Within our daily Phonics sessions, we use the Little Wandle catchphrases to help children remember how to pronounce and form the graphemes. Below you will find the phrases we use in school for pronouncing and forming capital letters and graphemes. 

Below are some helpful videos for parents. These and more resources are available on the parent information page on the Little Wandle website which can be found by clicking this link: 

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

What is the Phonics Screening Check?

The KS1 Phonics Screening Check is usually taken individually by all Year 1 children in June. It is designed to give teachers and parents information on how your child is progressing in phonics. It will help to identify whether your child needs additional support at this stage so that they do not fall behind in this vital early reading skill. 

To find out more about the Phonics Screening check, please click here and follow the link to our page on assessments.