Phonics

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.

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:

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.