Phonics
Phonics is a skill that enables a reader to decode words that are unknown to aid reading and spelling. We are committed to teaching children to gain reading skills that will allow them to achieve success both academically and personally throughout their lives. Our intention is to create readers who have the skills to access all parts of the curriculum with understanding; to have the ability to pursue their own interests through reading and to be able to talk about books with confidence.
At Galton Valley Primary School pupils learn to read and write using the ‘Little Wandle Letters and Sounds Revised programme’. The programme provides a full progression through all commonly occurring GPCs, working from simple to more complex, and taking into account the frequency of their occurrence in the most commonly encountered words.
Phonics is taught across EYFS and KS1, daily, and accessed by children through whole class teaching. In addition to these whole class lessons, those children who need further support, have access to ‘keep up’ sessions in order to close the gaps in any learning. Class teachers regularly assess progress being made by individual children and additional support is given to individuals and groups where required.
Year 2 and Key Stage 2 children, who have not passed the Phonics Screening Check take part in a ‘Rapid Catch Up’ phonics intervention. The ‘Rapid Catch Up’ intervention is delivered daily in 20 minute sessions. Children have the opportunity to develop their reading further through Little Wandle Letters reading sessions which take place three times a week for every child following the programme.
For Parents:
The resources on the links below will help you support your child with saying their sounds and writing their letters. There are also some useful videos so you can see how they are taught at school and feel confident about supporting their reading at home.