Phonics and Early Reading

Intent

At Wheatfield Primary School & Nursery, we believe that reading is the key that unlocks all learning. Our intent is to ensure that every child becomes a fluent, confident and enthusiastic reader who develops a lifelong love of books and reading. Through the systematic teaching of phonics using the Little Wandle Letters and Sounds Revised programme, children are taught the knowledge and skills they need to decode, read with fluency and comprehend increasingly complex texts.

We are committed to ensuring that all pupils, regardless of their starting points, make strong progress in reading. Early identification and support enable children who find reading more difficult to keep up rather than catch up. Alongside phonics, children are immersed in a language-rich environment where stories, rhymes, vocabulary and meaningful discussion develop their understanding and enjoyment of reading.

Implementation

Early reading is taught through the Little Wandle Letters and Sounds Revised programme from Nursery through to Key Stage 1. Daily phonics lessons follow a clearly sequenced progression that enables children to build their knowledge of grapheme-phoneme correspondences, blending and segmenting skills, and reading fluency. Staff receive regular training and coaching to ensure consistency and fidelity to the programme.

Children read decodable books that are carefully matched to their phonics knowledge, ensuring they can practise and apply the sounds they have been taught. Reading practice sessions take place regularly and focus on decoding, prosody and comprehension. Any child who is at risk of falling behind receives timely, targeted catch-up support through Little Wandle's Keep-up interventions.

A love of reading is fostered through high-quality story times, exposure to a diverse range of texts, well-stocked reading areas and opportunities for children to discuss and recommend books. Reading is celebrated across the school, encouraging children to see themselves as readers and to develop positive reading habits both in school and at home.

Impact

As a result of our approach, children develop secure phonics knowledge and become fluent, confident readers who are able to access the wider curriculum successfully. Pupils read with increasing accuracy, automaticity and expression, and demonstrate growing confidence in discussing what they have read.

Assessment information, pupil voice, reading practice records and the Phonics Screening Check demonstrate strong progress and attainment. Children who require additional support are identified quickly and benefit from effective interventions, reducing gaps in learning. By the end of Key Stage 1, pupils are well equipped for the next stage of their reading journey and have developed a genuine enjoyment of reading that supports their future success and wellbeing.