Phonics
Intent
At Oak View Primary and Nursery School, we believe every child has the potential to become a confident, fluent reader and writer. To support this, we follow Little Wandle Letters and Sounds Revised - a structured systematic synthetic phonics programme.
Our approach to phonics
Phonics teaching begins in the early years using the Little Wandle progression. This carefully sequenced approach enables children to build on their understanding of the alphabetic code, developing their reading and spelling skills as they move through the school.
This strong foundation allows our pupils to decode unfamiliar words independently. We reinforce phonics learning by modelling the use of the alphabetic code during shared reading and writing activities, both within phonics sessions and across the wider curriculum. We also place a strong emphasis on language development, recognising that speaking and listening are vital for reading and writing success across all subjects.
Impact
We recognise that learning to read can be challenging, so we regularly offer parent workshops to support reading at home
Some children may require additional support. Through daily teaching and half-termly assessments, we promptly identify those who are falling behind or at risk. These pupils receive tailored one-to-one or small group ‘keep up’ sessions. Parents are informed if their child is receiving additional support and are given guidance on how to help at home.
Children in Year 2 and above who did not pass the Year 1 phonics screening check or those new to the school or not reading at age-related expectations are assessed using the Rapid Catch Up assessment. and are supported through targeted group interventions
All Year 1 pupils take the national Phonics Screening Check with those not meeting the expected standard retaking it in year 2.
Implementation
In the nursery class we lay the groundwork for phonics through a mix of adult-led lead and child-led activities that support communication and early literacy. These include:
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Sharing high quality stories and poems
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Learning nursery rhymes/action rhymes
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Focused listening and attention games
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Oral blending activities
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Exposure to rich, high-quality language
From Reception through Key Stage 1 children take part in daily phonics lessons. These begin at 10 minutes in the first weeks of Reception and gradually increase to 30 minutes across all classes.
Each child also participates in three focused reading sessions per week, each concentrating on a specific skill: decoding, prosody, and comprehension. At the end of the week, children take home a fully decodable reading book to consolidate their learning and share success with their families. They also select a reading for pleasure book to enjoy together at home.
