Phonics and Early Reading

Policy: Phonics and Early Reading Policy 2022

Subject Ambassador: Mrs. S. Howes-Jones

Link Academy Councillor: Mrs. K. Norman

Statement of Intent ( Phonics) 2021 – 2022:

Our Vision:

A place where our children, adults and community can grow and thrive rooted in

Kindness, Fellowship and Confidence.

At Stanhope Barrington C of E Primary School we use Little Wandle Letters and Sounds Revised. The programme is a systematic, synthetic approach to teaching phonics, with clear expectations that are laid out term by term from reception to year 2. Integrated into the programme are high quality reading books published by Harper Collins that match to each grapheme the children learn, this ensures that children apply their phonetic knowledge in context through writing and the use of high-quality reading texts. Embedded into the programme are 6-weekly assessment tasks, which allow teachers to identify any children that may need extra support. Phonics is taught twice a day in Years 1 and 2 (moving to spelling in Year 2 for those that have secured the phonetic code), and once a day within EYFS. Children work in fluid groups on a phase/grapheme that is matched to their current need. All our phonics teachers and volunteer readers have received intense training and are experts at delivering high quality phonics sessions. Within Nursery, children work on Phase 1 of Letters and Sounds, where the focus is centred upon developing children’s speaking and listening skills, laying the foundations for the phonic works they will undertake as they begin phase 2. The programme also caters for children in Key Stage 2, ensuring they are provided with intensive interventions that seek to accelerate progress.

Reading at Home

Reading at home is a very rewarding experience for both children and adults and is a great opportunity to spend valuable time together resulting in an improved sense of wellbeing and confidence. To ensure all of our children have this crucial opportunity, a ‘Sharing Book’ is sent home weekly in EYFS and Key Stage 1. The book is selected by the pupil from the school library then taken home to be enjoyed with family and friends. The ‘Sharing Book’ accompanies their own ‘Reading Book’ which are also changed weekly. At Stanhope Barrington we instil a love of reading in each child which they will carry with them for a lifetime.

Phonics and Reading Scheme

We use the Little Wandle Letters and Sounds Revised scheme in EYSF and KS1.

You can find assistance to support your child by accessing the following link: Letters and Sounds – Support for Parents 

Volunteer Readers 2021

Now that we can welcome visitors back into school, we have a group of dedicated volunteer readers that come into school to read with the children. Reading regularly with an adult helps children to: build confidence, gain a sense of wellbeing and develop a range of literacy skills. Our volunteer readers are an important part of our school community at Stanhope Barrington C of E Primary School and we are extremely grateful for their time and commitment to our children.

Our volunteer readers are:

Angela Johnson – Amethyst Learning Zone

Caroline Sawyer; Kathleen Kirby; Lynn Metcalf – Sapphire Learning Zone

Sarah Stancliffe – Ruby Learning Zone

Kathleen Norman – Emerald Learning Zone ; Diamond Learning Zone

Phonics Screening Results