At James Dixon Primary we believe that learning to read is an essential skill that no child should be denied. Reading is one of the most important foundations of learning, enabling our children to access the wider curriculum with independence and creativity.  

Our highly trained practitioners support children to embark on their reading journey through the teaching of phonics with a goal of inspiring a lifelong love of the written word and the power of language. We start teaching phonics in Pre-School/Reception and follow the Little Wandle Letters and Sounds Revised progression, which ensures children build on their growing knowledge of the alphabetic code, mastering phonics to read and spell as they move through school. As a result, all our children are able to tackle any unfamiliar words as they read. We also model the application of the alphabetic code through phonics in shared reading and writing, both inside and outside the phonics lesson and across the curriculum. We have a strong focus on language development for our children because we know that speaking and listening are crucial skills for reading and writing in all subjects.

At James Dixon Primary, we value reading as a crucial life skill. By the time children leave us, they read confidently for meaning and regularly enjoy reading for pleasure. Our readers are equipped with the tools to tackle unfamiliar vocabulary. We encourage our children to see themselves as readers for both pleasure and purpose. We encourage our children to see themselves as readers for both pleasure and purpose.

 

 

LITTLE WANDLE PHONICS 

We teach phonics through a highly structured programme of daily lessons across Reception and Year 1. Phonics teaches children to read by linking sounds (phonemes) to the symbols that represent them (graphemes).

At James Dixon Primary School we use the Little Wandle phonics programme that has a clear structure and progression of sounds to be taught throughout EYFS and Year 1. It is a successful programme that enables children to become fluent readers. Phonics sessions are whole class and then there are additional keep up sessions for children who may require some intervention.

DAILY PHONICS LESSONS 

Phonics is taught daily for 30 minutes a day in Reception and Year 1.Children in Reception are taught to read and spell words using Phase 2 and 3 GPCs, and words with adjacent consonants (Phase 4) with fluency and accuracy. Children in Year 1 review Phases 3 and 4 and are taught to read and spell words using Phase 5 GPCs with fluency and accuracy. In Year 2, children revise phase 5 GPCs and then move on to the Little Wandle spelling program.

 

Reading lessons

In Reception and KS1. We teach children to read through reading practice sessions three times a week. These: use books matched to the children’s secure phonic knowledge using Little Wandle Letters and Sounds Revised assessments and book matching grids. These are monitored by the class teacher, who rates and works with each group on a regular basis. In Year 2, children move on to reading fluency books during these reading sessions.

Each reading practice session has a clear focus, so that the demands of the session do not overload the children’s working memory. The reading practice sessions have been designed to focus on three key reading skills:

• deciding

• prosody: teaching children to read with understanding and expression

• comprehension: teaching children to understand the text.

What is the phonics screening check?

The National phonics screening check is a statutory assessment that was introduced in 2012 to all Year 1 pupils and is a quick and easy check of your child’s phonics knowledge.  

It consists of a list of 40 words and nonsense words. It will assess phonics skills and knowledge learnt through Reception and Year 1. Your child will read one‐one with a teacher. Your child will read up to 4 words per page, and they will probably do the check in 10‐15 minutes. They will be asked to ‘sound out’ a word and blend the sounds together. The check is very similar to tasks the children already complete during phonics lessons.

How will the results from the screening be used?

You will be informed of your child’s progress in phonics and how he or she has done in the screening check, towards the end of the summer term.  Your child’s teacher will use the score to help your child progress.  If your child does fall below the pass mark, then they will be given some extra support to re-take the test in Year 2.

 

 

Please click below for support for parents

For parents | Letters and Sounds

 

Further Information 

Programme-Overview Reception-and-Year-1-1-1.306317127.pdf

 

LS-Phonics-and-early-reading-policy-September-22.docx.306317071.pdf