Phonics and Early Reading
INTENT: At St Peter’s, we recognise that learning to read is the most important skill pupils will develop, as it underpins all future learning. We are committed to ensuring that every child becomes a fluent, confident reader as quickly as possible. We aim to foster a love of reading alongside secure decoding skills, so that pupils not only learn to read but choose to read for pleasure. Using the Read Write Inc. programme, pupils develop strong foundations in phonics, fluency and comprehension through a structured, engaging and systematic approach.
IMPLEMENTATION: Phonics is taught daily from the Early Years using the Read Write Inc. programme, ensuring a consistent and systematic approach. Pupils are grouped by ability and teaching is closely matched to need, enabling rapid progress. Any pupils in Key Stage 2 who require additional support continue with a targeted phonics programme. Lessons are fast-paced and interactive, promoting high levels of participation, oracy and engagement. Pupils learn to decode through phonemes and graphemes, develop fluency through repeated reading, and build comprehension through structured discussion. Tricky words are taught explicitly.Reading books are fully decodable and carefully matched to each pupil’s phonic stage. These are read in school and at home, with progress closely monitored. Shared reading forms part of daily lessons, and all pupils benefit from regular story time to develop vocabulary and a love of reading. Adaptive teaching ensures all pupils are supported through targeted grouping, scaffolding and additional intervention where required. Pupils new to the school are assessed promptly and placed in appropriate groups. Assessment is ongoing and rigorous. Teachers use formative assessment within lessons, while the Read Write Inc. Leader conducts half-termly assessments to track progress, identify gaps and ensure pupils are placed accurately.
IMPACT: Pupils develop secure phonic knowledge, enabling them to read with increasing fluency, accuracy and understanding. Assessment shows that pupils make strong progress from their starting points and are well supported to keep up. Pupils demonstrate a love of reading, engage confidently with a range of texts and apply their skills across the curriculum. By the end of Key Stage 1, most pupils meet expected standards in phonics, and by the end of Key Stage 2, pupils are fluent, independent readers prepared for the next stage of their education.
HOW YOU CAN HELP AT HOME:
http://www.oxfordowl.co.uk
Oxford Owl is a free website built to support you with your child’s learning. You’ll find age-specific reading and maths tips and activities, eBooks, and lots of fun ideas to really bring your child’s learning to life. You will also find support and advice on a range of questions you may have – including helping your child with their phonics, motivating boys to read and ensuring your child is doing their best in maths.
www.bookstart.co.uk
This website provides information about the national Bookstart scheme and the Bookstart packs that your child will receive as a baby, a toddler and at age three to four. It also gives information about sharing books with your child. You can find out about Bookstart events in your area, which you can attend with your child.
We regularly share phonics support through school communication platforms and provide guidance on how reading is taught in school. If you would like further information, please contact the school office: admin@st-peters-ashton.tameside.sch.uk