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Phonics

Phonics sounds

The learning of reading comprises of two strands-word reading and the fundamental acquisition of phonetic knowledge (linking up letters and sounds) and also comprehension. In the 2022-2023 academic year, we reviewed our phonics provision in line with the updated list of systematic synthetic phonics teaching programmes. Since 2023, children have been supported to learn to read and write through the use of Little Wandle Letters and Sounds Revised - a systematic, synthetic programme. The programme focuses on securing word recognition skills, essential for children to decode (read) and encode (spell) words accurately and reading comprehension. Children need to learn to read as quickly as reasonably possible, so they can move from learning to read, to reading to learn, giving them access to the treasure house of reading. Our expectations of progression are aspirational yet achievable. Children who still need direct phonic teaching in KS2 are provided with this.

The children experience a wide range of poetry, fiction and non-fiction texts to develop their knowledge of themselves and the world in which they live, to establish an appreciation and love of reading, and to gain knowledge across the curriculum. Children are allocated two reading books; a reading book and a sharing book. Reading books are exactly matched to children’s phonic learning with decodeable Collins Big Cat Books. They are used to reinforce the high quality teaching of phonics in class, to support learning at home and during reading opportunities throughout the school day. Children also have access to a wide range of books in our growing library, which are known as sharing books. These are books pupils bring home to share with a parent or carer and it is not expected that pupils will read these themselves, but rather that the sharing book will be read to them or with them so that they develop a love of books and reading for pleasure.

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Approach to reading

At Petersfield, we believe that phonic skills need to be developed in a systematic, staged approach in order to help all children to 'achieve their potential'.

Phonics is taught through the Little Wandle Letter and Sounds Revised programme. This programme plans pupils' progression through the learning of sounds and tricky words term-by-term. The progression has been organised so that children are taught from the simple to more complex sounds, as well as taking into account the frequency of their occurrence in the most commonly encountered words. All the sounds taught are practised in words, sentences, and later on, in fully decodable books. Children review and revise sounds and words, daily, weekly and across terms and years, in order to move this knowledge into their long-term memory.

Reading books are exactly matched to children’s phonics stage; they are fully decodable and pupils are expected to be able to read these books independently. Big Cat decodeable books are used to reinforce the high quality teaching of phonics in class, to support learning at home and during reading opportunities throughout the school day.

Reading for Pleasure Statement

At Petersfield Church of England Primary School we believe that reading should be a fundamental part of childhood and a skill which should be developed to support lifelong learning.

Our aim is to develop and embed a strong, sustainable reading culture within the school community. Confident and competent readers will foster a love of reading through a rich and varied experience of texts, in which they are empowered to exercise freedoms of choice and independence.

Inspiring children to read is a moral imperative and their fundamental right. It underpins all learning and secures a good trajectory for personal development, understanding the world in which they live.

We believe that a reading child is a successful child and that:

  • children deserve a rich curriculum which encourages extensive reading of books and other kinds of texts;
  • planning enables links across learning, which create a wide range of opportunities in which children can read for pleasure;
  • children will have the opportunity to experience whole books to support them in their understanding of literary structures and allow them to become absorbed in the story itself;
  • the active encouragement of reading for pleasure should be a core part of every child's educational entitlement, whatever their background or attainment. Extensive reading and exposure to a wide range of texts make a huge contribution to students' educational achievement;
  • children will be encouraged to read texts which reflect their own heritage and that of other cultural groups. Children should be allowed to explore and engage with texts in their native language;
  • all children should have access to a wide range of texts in different formats and genres and support in enjoying them where necessary;
  • the school will engage and support parents in enabling access to a full range of reading experiences. Where this is not possible, action will be taken to provide compensatory measures which allow equality of access to all children;
  • home-school relationships will promote the importance of all adults in fostering a love of reading;
  • professional development and support for teachers will be provided to allow them to explore the huge range of printed and electronic reading materials available and to enable them to support children in their reading choices.

The school has a commitment to evaluate the outcomes of this Reading for Pleasure statement and continually review practice to ensure all children become lifelong readers.

Latest News

23rd Jul - School is now closed for the summer holiday. During this time, wellbeing information can be found on the 'Pupil Welfare' page under the Safeguarding menu above. We look forward to welcoming our pupils, parents and visitors back to school on Wednesday 3rd September. Happy summer!

23rd Jul - We are so proud of you year 6! Thank you for leading our Leavers' Assembly so well as your final act at Petersfield. Good Luck! We know you will shine brightly at secondary school as you have always done at Petersfield.

23rd Jul - Thank you to a parent and her company for the kind donation of a scientific calculator, presented today to each pupil in year 6 ready for secondary school.

23rd Jul - Our pupils and staff enjoyed signing our year 6 leavers' shirts during our picnic, providing a treasured memory for years to come!

23rd Jul - A whole school picnic was enjoyed by all this lunchtime. Our thanks to our catering team both for today and for a whole year of catering for our pupils.

23rd Jul - Thank you to Rev Felicity and organist John for today's Leavers' service. Thank you to the parents and secondary siblings who were able to join us. The choir sang 'This is me' as we reflected on our amazing year 6 and enjoyed their memories from their 7 year journey at Petersfield.

Click here to read more of our recent posts about school life.

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Notices

Mental Health support, including crisis support:
YOUnited offers support to children and young people aged 5 to 17 with their emotional wellbeing and mental health.

Click here to access their resources including a link to 'Help in a Crisis' info.


Is your child due to start school in September 2025? If so, click here to visit our admissions page.


Have you visited our 'Reading for Pleasure' page where local published author Ute Maria is adding stories regularly? Click on the 'Curriculum' tab to enjoy the stories.


Have you tried any of the experiments in the science magazines you can find on the 'Science is Fun' webpage? Click on the 'Curriculum' tab to find out more.


Save yourself time naming uniform and raise money for school. Visit www.stikins.co.uk. Quote code 15787


As per County and national guidance, Petersfield will only close in exceptional circumstances or where instructed to do so. The decision will be made ASAP and displayed first on our school website in the 'Latest News' above.


Funding for Petersfield - As you may have read in the media, school funding is under threat. Please click here to see the information about how you can continue to help.


As we explained in a newsletter, we have updates our policies and privacy notice about how we process data in line with GDPR (General Data Protection Regulations). Click here for the updated policies.


Please see our vacancies page for an opportunity for a Playworker.


Are you interested in being a Governor? Do you have HR or Finance skills? If so, please do visit our Governors' webpage to find out more about the strategic role of our Governors.

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CONTACT

Petersfield Church of England Aided
Primary School,
Hurdleditch Rd,
Orwell,
Near Royston.
SG8 5QG

office@petersfield.cambs.sch.uk
Telephone 01223 207382

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