Reading and Phonics

Intent

At Trinity Road Primary School, we believe that all our children can become fluent readers and writers. This is why we teach reading through Little Wandle Letters and Sounds Revised in EYFS and Key Stage 1, and through Reading Vipers in Key Stage 2.

Our reading curriculum ensures pupils develop a lifelong love of reading.  We want to create reading behaviours so all pupils read frequently and widely; whilst confidentially discussing what they read. We have a strong focus on language development for our children because we know that speaking and listening are crucial life skills.

We are committed to promoting a love for reading and not only giving children opportunities to read in English lessons, but in the wider curriculum too. To this end, we strive to give our children enjoyable, interesting and appropriately challenging reading experiences that are immersive and deepen their understanding of the world around them.

Implementation

In reception and Y1, 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 lessons start in EYFS 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 to children where appropriate.

In Key Stage 2, there are 4 planned reading skills lessons a week and 1 book club lesson. These daily reading lessons focus on vocabulary, fluency and application of skills. In Key Stage 2, there are also planned phonic ‘catch-up’ sessions following Little Wandle’s rapid catch up programme for those children that need support with their phonics and reading.

Across the school, we promote reading for pleasure. This is done through story times in all classes, protected time for reading and weekly library visits.

Impact

In EYFS 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). Children identified in EYFS and Y1 as in danger of falling behind are immediately identified and daily ‘keep up’ sessions are put in place. The children are assessed at the end of every half term using the Little Wandle Letters and Sounds Revised assessment tracker. In the summer term of Year 1, the children sit the Phonics Screening Check and those children who do not pass, will re-sit this in Year 2.

From Year 1, children’s reading is formally assessed termly using NFER or previous years’ SATs papers for Year 2 and 6. Teachers use these formal assessments alongside teacher assessment to ascertain each child’s current attainment and identify any gaps to be addressed.

Reception and Year 1 Overviews