Early Reading & Writing inc. Phonics
At Woodlands we aim to teach children to:
Read with fluency, accuracy and understanding.
- Develop an understanding and appreciation of a wide range of literary and non-fiction texts.
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We teach phonics using Little Wandle resources to support our programme and is an important part of our daily English lessons.
phonics and early reading policy 2025 2026.pdf
Phonics
- In the Nursery, children follow the Little Wandle Letters and Sounds Revised ‘Foundations for Phonics’ guidance. The focus is on daily listening and attention skills alongside oral blending and phonematic awareness. Foundations for phonics contributes to the provision for ‘Communication and language’ and ‘Literacy’ (DfE, 2022)1; and it sits alongside a stimulating language-rich provision. Following Foundations for phonics ensures the provision is in place to ensure children are well prepared to begin grapheme–phoneme correspondence and blending at the start of Reception. The provision includes a balance of child-led and adult-led experiences. One of the most important aspects of Foundations for phonics is developing an awareness of sound, through activities that develop focused listening and attention, including oral blending.
- In Reception and Year 1, 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.
- In Year 2, phonic lessons are taught daily in Autumn 1 and then to children where appropriate to those who are not secure – following the model of Little Wandle but plugging specific gaps identified through assessment.
- Children across Reception and Year 1 apply their phonics knowledge by using a full matched decodable reader in a small group reading practice session.
- Children in Year 2 who need this approach continue with reading practice sessions. This is based on the outcome of assessments.
- These sessions are approximately 25 minutes long and happen three times a week.
- The sessions follow the model set out in Little Wandle Letters and Sounds Revised.
- In Reception these sessions start in week 4. Children who are not decoding, do a little blending lesson, following the model set out in Little Wandle Letters and Sound Revised.
- In Reception and Year 1, at the end of each week there is a review session which recaps the learning. There are also whole review weeks (pre-planned and bespoke review weeks to address gaps identified by the class teacher’s ongoing formative assessment). These occur every 6 weeks.
- Children identified in Reception and Year 1 as in danger of falling behind are immediately identified and daily ‘keep up’ sessions are put in place – sessions follow the Little Wandle Letters and Sounds Revised programme.
- In Reception and Year 1, the children are assessed at the end of every half term using the Little Wandle Letters and Sounds Revised assessment tracker.
- The children in Year 1 sit the Phonics Screening Check in the summer term.
- Children who do not pass the Phonics Screening Check in Year 1, will re-sit this in Year 2.
- Children who are in Year 2 and need ‘catch up’ sessions are assessed through teacher’s ongoing formative assessment as well as half termly summative assessments.
lw phonics and reading pp for parents 1 .pdf
Reading at home
Our policy is that all children from Reception to Year 6 read with an adult every night, this includes weekends and school holidays. Regular practice allows children to develop their reading skills as well as enjoying a wide variety of texts.
A record is kept in each class of which children have read each night and prizes are regularly awarded to children who have read to an adult every night. Please look in the front of your child’s reading diary to see more information about how you can ensure your child is involved in our reading rewards.
- Read with fluency, accuracy and understanding.
- Develop an understanding and appreciation of a wide range of literary and non-fiction texts
We also keep a record of the % of each class that has read every day - the class with the highest % at the end of the week is awarded a 'Golden Book' for their class from a list that the children have complied with their teachers!
Our policy is that all children from Reception to Year 6 read with an adult every night, this includes weekends and school holidays. Regular practice allows children to develop their reading skills as well as enjoying a wide variety of texts.
A record is kept in each class of which children have read each night and prizes are regularly awarded to children who have read to an adult every night. Please look in the front of your child’s reading diary to see more information about how you can ensure your child is involved in our reading rewards.
Our Pupil Reading Ambassadors
Our Pupil Reading Council help us to monitor children's reading diaries and our reward bookmark system that encourages children to read regularly to earn bronze, silver and gold level rewards.
They also read stories on a weekly basis in other classes, help to organise whole school events such as book swaps and World Book day and are really good role models to others with our 'Reading Everyday' expectation - they do a great job!
Help with phonics - these links are really useful - have a look!
