Phonics and Reading | KAPS Leicester

phonics &

reading

At Krishna Avanti Primary School, we follow a systematic synthetic phonics programme (SSP) called Little Wandle.

We believe that for all our children to become fluent readers and writers, phonics must be taught through a systematic and structured phonics programme.

We use the Little Wandle Letters and Sounds Revised to plan and provide daily engaging phonics lessons. In phonics, we teach children that the letters of the alphabet represent a different sound, that these can be used in a variety of combinations and are put together to make words. The children learn to recognise all of the different sounds and combinations that they might see when they are reading or writing.

Teaching follows a very specific, systematic sequence that allows our children to build on their previous phonic knowledge and master specific phonic strategies as they move through school. We have a strong focus on the development of language skills for our children because we know that speech, language and communication skills are crucial for reading and writing in all subjects.

Phonics is taught daily across the school and revisited throughout the day in other subjects. Our phonics programme ensures children build on their growing knowledge of the alphabetic code, mastering phonics to read and spell as they move through school. There is also a focus on prosody (reading fluently and with expression) and comprehension to ensure that all strands of reading are considered.

How we teach phonics

Phonics is taught as a whole class by the class teacher
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 1 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.
In Year 1, children will be taught phase 5.
In Year 2, phonics is taught daily during Autumn 1. Specific gaps are plugged through ‘Rapid catch up’ sessions. These are short, sharp sessions lasting 10 minutes in length and taking place at least three times a week.

Reading practice sessions

Children across Reception, Year 1 and Year 2 apply their phonics knowledge by using a fully matched decodable reading book in a small group reading practice session.
These sessions are 10 minutes long and happen three times a week. There are approximately 6 children in a group.
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.

How do we assess phonic knowledge?

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 England, 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 sit a SATs reading paper at the end of Year 2.

Helping your child at home with reading

‘Language learning must be supported in the home, in schools and in the community: To make the biggest difference to children’s futures, parents, educators and local leaders must be equipped with the skills, resources and strategies to support early language learning and emergent reading.’ APPG on Social Mobility (2019).

Reading with your child is so important and research shows that it’s the single most important thing you can do to help your child’s education. Reading helps children to do well in school and in later life. It helps them to develop their understanding of the world and empathy for others. It is also intrinsically enjoyable – it feeds imagination and gives children exposure to language and stories to enrich their lives.

Read aloud regularly

Read to your child every day. It’s a special time to snuggle up and enjoy a story. Stories matter and children love re-reading them and poring over the pictures. Try adding funny voices to bring characters to life

Encourage reading choice

Give children lots of opportunities to read different things in their own time – it doesn’t just have to be books. There’s fiction, non-fiction, poetry, comics, magazines, recipes and much more. Try leaving interesting reading material in different places around the home and see who picks it up.

Read together

Choose a favourite time to read together as a family and enjoy it. This might be everyone reading the same book together, reading different things at the same time, or getting your children to read to each other. This time spent reading together can be relaxing for all.

Create a comfortable environment

Make a calm, comfortable place for your family to relax and read independently – or together.

Make use of your local library

Visit your local library when you’re able to and explore all sorts of reading ideas. Local libraries also offer brilliant online materials, including audiobooks and ebooks to borrow. See Libraries Connected for more digital library services and resources.

Talk about books

This is a great way to make connections, develop understanding and make reading even more enjoyable. Start by discussing the front cover and talking about what it reveals and suggests the book could be about. Then talk about what you’ve been reading and share ideas. You could discuss something that happened that surprised you, or something new that you found out. You could talk about how the book makes you feel and whether it reminds you of anything.

Bring reading to life

You could try cooking a recipe you’ve read together. Would you recommend it to a friend? Alternatively, play a game where you pretend to be the characters in a book, or discuss an interesting article you’ve read.

Make reading active

Play games that involve making connections between pictures, objects and words, such as reading about an object and finding similar things in your home. You could organise treasure hunts related to what you’re reading. Try creating your child’s very own book by using photos from your day and adding captions.

Engage your child in reading in a way that suits them

You know your child best and you’ll know the best times for your child to read. If they have special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) then short, creative activities may be the way to get them most interested. If English is an additional language, encourage reading in a child’s first language, as well as in English. What matters most is that they enjoy it.

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