Phonics

Early reading starts with phonics and developing good phonics skills in younger pupils is vitally important. Phonics provision begins in Nursery and skills are developed daily throughout The Foundation Stage and Key Stage 1.  

The school follows a  DFE validated complete systematic synthetic phonics (SSP) programme called ‘Twinkl Phonics’.

The Programme is split into six levels/phases:

• Level/Phase 1 (Nursery)
• Level/Phase 2 (Reception)
• Level/Phase 3 (Reception)
• Level/Phase 4 (Reception moving into Year 1)
• Level/Phase 5 (Year 1)
• Level/Phase 6 (Year 2)

The Twinkl Phonics Programme offers a coherently planned sequence of lessons that supports the effective teaching of phonics within EYFS and KS1.

Level 1 Twinkl Phonics provides themed teaching packs for nurseries and our preschool to deliver each of the DfE’s Phase 1 phonics aspects. Throughout Level 1, young learners develop the knowledge, skills and understanding to discriminate between and use auditory, environmental and instrumental sounds. Level 1 is taught in the EYFS and runs throughout the teaching of phonics Levels 2-6.

In reception, children work within Levels 2-4. The total number of teaching weeks for Levels 2, 3 and 4 do not fill the whole academic year. This has been planned to allow for additional consolidation if required and assessment time. In Levels 2-4, learners are introduced to phonemes/sounds and graphemes/letters systematically. They also learn to develop and apply blending and segmenting skills for reading and writing.

In KS1, children work within Levels 5 and 6. The coherently planned sequence of lessons within Level 5 allows opportunities for children to apply their phonics knowledge and skills as the prime approach to reading and spelling. It focuses on phonetically decodable two-syllable and three-syllable words and the alternative ways of pronouncing and representing the long vowel phonemes. Furthermore, children will develop their ability to attempt to read and spell increasingly complex words.

During Level 6, children explore spelling patterns and grammar while also developing a breadth of knowledge, skills and understanding in the recognition and spelling of common exception words.

The Twinkl Phonics Programme intends to not only provide children with opportunities to develop the knowledge, skills and understanding essential for reading and writing, but also, to develop each child’s confidence, resilience and engagement in phonics lessons and a love for reading and writing.

More information about this can be obtained from your class teacher and during the phonics parents meetings.  

Phonics is taught daily for 25 minutes, this is separate to English lessons. Refer to the Phonics Policy and Progression Map for details.

Long-term Spelling Plan

Reception

 By the end of Reception, children should be able to read fluently and spell accurately:

Year 1

By the end of Year 1, children should be able to read fluently and spell accurately

Year 2

By the end of Year 2, children should be able to read fluently and spell accurately:

Year 1 phonics test

Since 2012, all children in year 1 undertake a phonics screening test during the summer term. The children are tested on their ability to apply their understanding of phonics to reading a selection of 'words'. Some of these are real and some are not. the tests are taken individually, so your child will sit with their teacher and work through the test.

Once the tests are completed, the school will report to parents whether their child ahs achieved the expected age related standard or not. Children who do not reach the standard in year 1 will be retested in the summer term of year 2.

There will be more information available regarding the tests later on in the academic year and we hold parent phonics meetings and drop in sessions in the Autumn Term. For more information please check into your child's Class Dojo page.

Here are some useful phonics websites you can use to find out more and also practice your phonics at home.
 

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/letters-and-sounds-principles-and-practice-of-high-quality-phonics-phase-one-teaching-programme

http://www.letters-and-sounds.com/what-is-letters-and-sounds.html

https://www.phonicsplay.co.uk/ParentsMenu.htm

https://www.oxfordowl.co.uk/home/reading-site/expert-help/phonics-made-easy#

Check out Mr Thorne Network on youtube, where Mr Thorne and Geraldine Giraffe practice their phonics!

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC7sW4j8p7k9D_qRRMUsGqyw