Reading & Phonics

At NPS our Phonics and Early Reading is the starting point to build competent and lifelong readers. We teach reading through Little Wandle Letters and Sounds Revised; which is a systematic and synthetic phonics programme. This fully comprehensive programme where our phonics teaching starts in Reception and follows a very specific sequence that allows our pupils to build on their previous phonic knowledge and master specific phonic strategies as they move through school. As a result, all our pupils are able to tackle any unfamiliar words that they might discover.

At NPS we also model these strategies in shared reading and writing both inside and outside of the phonics lesson and across the curriculum. We have a strong focus on the development of language skills for our children because we know that speaking and listening are crucial skills for reading and writing in all subjects.

How we teach phonics in Early Years & Key Stage 1

In reception and Y1, pupils follow the progression within the Little Wandle Letters and Sounds Revised programme. Phonics is taught daily and there is a review session on a Friday.
Phonics starts in reception in week 2 to ensure the children make a strong start and lessons start at 15 minutes, with daily additional oral blending.
By the end of reception, pupils will have been taught up to the end of phase 4.
By the end of year 1, pupils will have been taught up to the end of phase 5 where lessons are 30 minutes.
Children in year 2 recap any gaps in their phonics knowledge in the autumn term.

Reading Practice Sessions

Children across Reception, Year 1 and Year 2 apply their phonics knowledge by using a fully matched decodable reader in a small group reading practice session.

These sessions are 15 minutes long and happen up to three times a week.
The sessions follow the model set out in Little Wandle Letters and Sounds Revised, focusing on decoding, prosody and comprehension.
Pupils then take the same book home the following week to ensure success is shared with the family.
Pupils who are not yet blending take a wordless book home.

How we assess phonic knowledge

In Reception, Year 1 and Year 2 at the end of each week there is a review session which recaps the learning.
Pupils identified as in danger of falling behind are immediately identified and daily ‘keep up’ sessions are put in place – these sessions follow the Little Wandle Letters and Sounds Revised programme.
In Reception and Year 1, the children are assessed at the end of every half term using the Little Wandle Letters and Sounds Revised assessment tracker.
Pupils in Year 1 complete the statutory Phonics Screening Check in the summer term.
Pupils who do not meet standard in the Phonics Screening Check in Y1, will complete this in Y2. Support continues to be put in place for these children.

Reading for pleasure

Alongside our daily teaching of phonics, reading for pleasure is an important part of our Early Reading offer. We ensure children develop a love of reading and are exposed to a range of interesting and relevant authors. We promote a love of reading in the following ways:

Daily DEAR Time across the school at the same time. When pupils hear the music they ‘Drop Everything and Read.’
Whole class reading sessions which include a range of books that are mapped out to ensure children have a rich reading diet, vocabulary is explicitly taught and children can learn key phrases in the book.
Book areas within the classroom which have a careful selection of books.
Alongside pupils’ decodable reading book, pupils also take home a sharing ‘reading for pleasure’ book each week.
Exciting initiatives and events such as World Book Day, Summer Reading Challenge, Book Fairs, etc also promote a love for reading at NPS.

Programme Overview Reception and Year 1

NPS Early Reading Policy 2022-2023

Little Wandle Parent guide

Everybody read leaflet for parents

Little Wandle Everybody read parents presentation