Phonics and Early Reading

Phonics and Early Reading at Langho St.Leonard's Church of England Primary School is taught across the Early Years and Key Stage One. We use the full systematic, synthetic phonics programme of Little Wandle Letters and Sounds Revised.  

This is comprised of daily phonics lessons taught by a teacher and three reading practice sessions a week in small groups. Children take home fully decodable reading books to practise reading at home as well as library books (choice, reading for pleasure books) to share and enjoy with adults at home. 

In Little Lennie's Nursery, children use Little Wandle's Foundations for Phonics resources and begin oral blending so that they are ready to begin learning the letters and sounds, and ready to blend in Reception. 

In Reception, children begin Phase 2 in Week 2. If children are struggling at the end of Week 3, then they are immediately given extra support to keep up so that they do not fall behind. Our aim is that children are blending by Christmas of Reception.

In Year 1 we begin with a recap of Phase 3 and begin teaching Phase 5 by Autumn 2 at the latest. Again, children are supported to keep up (rather than catch-up) with timely extra interventions. 

Our aim is that all children are reading fluently by the end of year 1. It may be that some children still need support in learning to read as they move into Year 2. For this we continue to use Little Wandle Keep Up resources. 

Please see our English Curriculum page for further information regarding progression in comprehension and how a love of reading is developed through our St Leonard's approach. 

Our Early Reading and Writing Policy

https://www.littlewandlelettersandsounds.org.uk/resources/for-parents/

Please click here to go to the Little Wandle Website for parents with helpful resources and information.