Phonics & Reading

Our Approach to Teaching Phonics at Winwick CofE Primary School

At Winwick CE Primary School, we follow the Phonics Phases as set out in the Little Wandle Letters and Sounds Revised, complete systematic synthetic phonics programme (SSP). Children in Reception, Year 1 and Year 2 have a daily Phonics session which is in addition to their daily English lessons.

Phonics sessions and interventions are delivered by teachers and teaching assistants across the EYFS/Key Stage 1 department and school use the resources linked to the Little Wandle Scheme to support the teaching and delivery of Phonics.

Where additional Phonics support is required, children who move into Key stage 2 are provided with further support and intervention in-line with Little Wandle. Support and intervention is also put in place for those children in EYFS/Key Stage 1 where our ongoing assessment shows this may be beneficial to support pupil progress with Phonics and help with children's learning.

Our staff team have received Little Wandle CPD training, with refresher training and all CPD resources being accessible for staff through the Little Wandle portal. Historically, we have also recieved Phonics training and support for the staff team from specialist consultants, EY2P.

At the end of Year 1, children sit the National Phonics Screening Check which identifies how well children can use their Phonic skills to decode words. The check contains 40 words - 20 real words and 20 nonsense words - that children must read. The check takes between 5 and 10 minutes to complete. Children across all of EYFS and Key Stage 1 are also assessed on their Phonics at regular points throughout each term. This also includes any children still receiving Phonics support in Key Stage 2.

As a school, we follow the 'Literacy Counts' units for our English curriculum (See English Page) which ensure coverage of National Curriculum expectations for spelling are covered across all year groups too.

If you would like any more information about Phonics, please contact your child's class teacher in the first instance or speak with Mrs Duckett (English Lead) or Mr Henaghen, (Early Reading/Phonics & EYFS/Key Stage 1 Lead). Appointments can be made via the school office.