Phonics

We employ a ‘rigorous and sequential approach to the development of speaking and listening and teaching reading, writing and spelling through systematic phonics’ (ofsted report reading by 6)

Aims

Children will learn:

  • grapheme‒phoneme correspondences (that is, the alphabetic code) in a clearly defined, incremental sequence
  • synthesise (blend) phonemes (sounds) in order all through a word to read it
  • to segment words into their constituent phonemes for spelling
  • that blending and segmenting are reversible processes

Teaching Phonics

Phonics is taught daily following letters and sounds progression.

Phonics lesson

  • Review sounds taught
  • Teach new sound where applicable
  • Practice blending reading single words and sentences
  • Write sounds (dictation words and sentences)
  • Practice basic sight words

Multi-sensory activities are used when children are first learning sounds encompassing, visual, auditory and kinaesthetic activities involving, for example, physical movement to copy letters shapes and sound, and manipulating magnetic or other solid letters to build words.

Mnemonics from the read write inc scheme are used in conjunction with the word cards e.g ‘Maisie over the mountain’ to help children memorise letters.

All teachers have been trained to teach phonics properly and follow a carefully planned structured approach.

Lessons are fast paced, varied and engaging.

All children are actively involved in phonics lessons

Knowledge is constantly reviewed and reinforced

Pupils are given opportunities to apply what they have learnt in guided reading or when they read aloud to an adult.

Children are assessed individually half termly and those who are falling behind are identified early and catch up is put in place

Phonics trackers for each year group are on the platform

Phonics KS2

All children in year 3 are tested at the beginning of the year at the phase they are on so that the class teacher is aware of any gaps.

In years 4,5 and 6 the children who are still working at level 2 are tested at the beginning of the year.

In year 3 phonics is still be taught at least 3 times a week to the whole class as most children are not secure at phase 5

phonics catch up is organised in small group work or 1-1 for the children who are still not secure with all their sounds.

Children who are not secure with phase 5 phonics are assessed each half term.

Reviewed January 2017