Patterdale Phonics Curriculum

INTENT

At Patterdale, we recognise that being able to read is the most important skill children will learn during their early schooling and has far-reaching implications for lifelong goals, confidence and well-being. The combination of phonics teaching, effective interventions and access to phonetically decodable books provides all children with the chance to develop the starting point they need as they begin their journey in education. We seek to develop a love for reading and provide our children with a wealth of reading material, introducing them to various authors and different types of genres.

TEACHING MIXED AGE CLASSES

Children are taught in mixed age classes and follow the Little Wandle Phonics Program.

CONTENT

We use the ‘Little Wandle Letters and Sounds’ Teaching Program to systematically teach phonics. This is a fully comprehensive programme where children start learning single letter sounds in the Autumn Term of Reception, progressing to the more complex code in Year 1. This progression prepares children for the statutory phonics screening check that takes place at the end of Year 1.

Phonics is taught every day and children learn to apply their phonics knowledge in reading practice sessions throughout the week. Each reading session focusses on a different skill, developing children’s prosody, fluency and comprehension skills along the way.   

Please download the progression of phonemes taught by clicking this link here:

ASSESSMENT & MONITORING

• Our children’s progress is reviewed on a daily basis, allowing immediate support to be put in place where needed.
• Our children complete the Phonics Screening test towards the end of Year 1 and by the time they finish the  Little Wandle programme, the children should be able to decode fluently and accurately, allowing them to access a greater range of texts with growing independence.
• Those children throughout the school who need an extra Phonics boost will carry out the Little Wandle Catch-up programme.
• As our children progress through school, they focus on developing their fluency and comprehension skills. Teachers use formative assessment from guided reading and reading comprehension lessons to identify areas of need and to inform and adapt future planning.
• Most importantly, we know that the positive impact of excellent reading skills will be felt across all curriculum areas and that the enjoyment of reading goes far beyond the classroom.
• We aim to develop confidence, fluency, curiosity and a lifelong love of reading that will enhance the learning and the lives of all pupils at Patterdale C of E Primary School.