Phonics
Mrs Goodwin is the Phonics Lead at St Theresa's and is supported by Miss Walker (Assistant Headteacher for Teaching and Learning) and Miss Hulbert (Assistant Headteacher for Safeguarding and Inclusion).
At St Theresa’s, the development of early reading is a key priority, and we recognise that strong phonics teaching is essential in helping children become confident, fluent readers. We follow the Little Wandle Letters and Sounds Revised programme, a government-approved systematic synthetic phonics scheme, which provides a clear and structured approach to the teaching of phonics.
What is Phonics?
Phonics is a way of teaching children to read by linking sounds (phonemes) to the letters or groups of letters (graphemes) that represent them.
Our Approach
Phonics is taught daily from the start of Reception and continues into Key Stage 1 and beyond where needed. Lessons are carefully sequenced to build on prior learning, helping children to develop their knowledge of sounds (phonemes) and how they are represented (graphemes).
Children are taught to:
- Recognise and say sounds confidently
- Blend sounds to read words
- Segment words to support spelling
- Read common exception words
Reading practice sessions take place regularly, where children read books that are closely matched to their phonics stage. This allows them to apply their learning and build fluency, accuracy and confidence.
Assessment and Progress
Children’s progress in phonics is assessed regularly to ensure they are keeping up with the programme. Additional support is quickly put in place for any children who need it, helping them to keep pace with their peers.
In Year 1, children take part in the national Phonics Screening Check, which assesses their ability to decode words using phonics. We prepare children carefully for this, ensuring they feel confident and well supported. In Key Stage 2, any pupils who are not yet secure in their phonics knowledge receive additional support through the Little Wandle Rapid Catch-up programme. These targeted sessions are carefully planned to help children quickly close gaps in their learning, ensuring they develop the confidence and skills needed to become fluent readers.
Supporting Your Child at Home
We value the important role parents and carers play in supporting early reading. Children will bring home reading books that match their phonics knowledge, along with guidance on how to support them.
You can help your child by:
- Listening to them read regularly
- Encouraging them to sound out and blend unfamiliar words
- Practising tricky words
- Sharing and enjoying a wide range of books together
Working together, we can ensure that every child develops the skills and confidence needed to become a successful reader.
Little Wandle Resources
Programme-Overview_Reception-and-Year-1-1
Year 2 will continue to follow Little Wandle if children are not secure at Phase 5 or didn't pass the phonics screening in Year 1.
Reading and Phonics at St Theresa's
LS-Phonics-and-early-reading-policy
Please click the links below to watch video clips of the correction pronunciation of the sounds taught in Little Wandle.
Phase 2 sounds Reception - Part 1
