Warwick Road Primary School

Phonics

At Warwick Road Primary School, phonics is taught through the validated systematic synthetic phonics programme ‘Twinkl Phonics’.  The Twinkl Phonics Programme offers a coherently planned sequence of lessons that supports the effective teaching of phonics within EYFS, KS1 and, where appropriate, KS2.  The dynamic and engaging materials delivered ensure a clearly defined structure to the teaching of phonics. The direct teacher-led lessons enable all learners to develop and apply new skills while also providing opportunities to further apply these skills within fun and engaging activities and through continuous provision. The teaching PowerPoints, stories, games, additional texts and toolkits are meticulously planned to allow children to apply and practise phonics skills. The impact of using the complete Twinkl Phonics Programme as the basis of our phonics teaching within EYFS and KS1, will be for children to develop their phonics skills and knowledge through a systematic, synthetic approach, while covering the statutory requirements outlined in the 2014 National Curriculum. There are six overlapping levels taught from Nursery through to Year 2 (and as intervention within KS2 where appropriate).

What makes us successful early readers?

1. Phonetic Awareness:

   • Ability to identify individual sounds (phonemes) in spoken words.
   • Recognising rhymes, segmenting words into syllables, and blending sounds together.

2. Letter Recognition:

   • Knowledge of the alphabet and the ability to identify and name letters.
   • Understanding the connection between letters and their corresponding sounds.

3. Phonic Instruction:

   • Systematic exposure to phonetic spelling rules and patterns.
   • Learning letter-sound correspondences (e.g. understanding that 'c' makes the /k/ sound).

4. Decoding Skills:

   • Applying phonetic knowledge to sound out and decode unfamiliar words.
   • Breaking words into syllables and recognising common prefixes and suffixes.

5. Sight Word Recognition:

   • Memorisation and quick recognition of tricky/ common exception words that don't necessarily follow regular phonetic patterns.

6. Fluency:

   • Reading with speed, accuracy, and appropriate expression.
   • Developing the ability to read aloud smoothly and comprehend the text simultaneously.

7. Vocabulary Development:

   • Building a rich vocabulary through exposure to a variety of words in context.
   • Connecting phonetic knowledge to meaning and understanding word definitions.

8. Comprehension Skills:

   • Understanding and making meaning from what is being read.
   • Answering questions about the text and making predictions based on comprehension.

9. Reading Aloud:

   • Engaging in regular read-aloud activities with caregivers or teachers.
   • Encouraging a positive attitude toward reading and creating a love for books and reading.

10. Supportive Environment:

    • Providing a literacy-rich environment at home and in school.
    • Encouraging parental involvement and support for reading activities.

11. Structured Phonics Programs:

    • Participation in a well-designed, systematic, synthetic phonics programme that emphasises the gradual progression of skills.
    • Consistent practice and reinforcement of phonics principles across the curriculum.

12. Individualised Instruction:

    • Tailoring instruction to meet the individual needs and pace of each child.
    • Identifying and addressing specific challenges or areas for improvement.

13. Early Exposure to Reading Material:

    • Access to age-appropriate reading materials that align with phonic stage of learning.
    • A variety of books, including those with repetitive patterns and predictable text.

14. Positive Reinforcement:

    • Positive feedback and reinforcement for achievements in reading.
    • Celebrating milestones and fostering a positive attitude towards learning to read.

These factors work together to create a foundation for successful early reading. Keep in mind that each child is unique, and the pace of development may vary.

How and What we Learn at Warwick Road 

In the Foundation Stage (Nursery and Reception) children will:

• Be taught in ability groups based on half termly assessments.
• Be assessed on entry and grouped according to ability.
• Use communication, language, literacy and phonics during free flow sessions.
• Become immersed in an environment rich in print and possibilities for communication
• Children participate in weekly small group guided reading sessions from Reception.
• Plan an environment that reflects the importance of phonics, language, reading and writing through a range of activities, signs, notices and books.

At Key Stage One (Years 1 and 2) children will:

• Be taught in their class groups to ensure that all children have access to the same learning, encouraging children to 'keep up' with additional support.  
• Receive intervention when required, 1:1 or in small groups.
• Be taught the knowledge, skills and understanding through a range of literature.
• Speak confidently and listen to what others have to say.
• Begin to read and write independently and with enthusiasm.
• Use language to explore their own experiences and imaginary worlds.
• Be assessed half termly through Twinkl Phonics assessment framework & benchmarking (from year 2) to ensure that they are reading books that closely match their decoding ability.
• Be taught daily focused phonic sessions. Year 1 will focus on level 5 with some recap of level 4, moving onto level 6 in year 2.  
• Take part in weekly grouped and whole class guided reading sessions.  
• Children that do not pass the Year 1 phonics screening check will have the opportunity to repeat the test in Year 2.

At Key Stage Two (Years 3-6) children will:

• Receive additional phonic support if they have not yet passed the Year 1 phonic screening check or Twinkl assessment framework. 
• Complete half termly phonic assessments. This knowledge is used to plan and structure additional phonics teaching or interventions. 
• Receive further level 6 input through the teaching of spelling and grammar.

Subject Long Term Plan

Enhanced Curriculum Experiences 

At Warwick Road, we strive to immerse children in reading and phonics by providing diverse and plentiful opportunities for them to develop, practise, apply and deepen their existing knowledge, skills and understanding, and to promote a love of reading! Below are just some examples of the additional experiences on offer for our children:

• A trip to the local library for each year group
• An extra-curricular reading club for pupils
• An annual parent workshop
• Youtube bedtime stories 
• Spelling Bee competition
• Immersive World Book Day experience

Twinkl Phonics / Rhino Readers Alignment Document 

Progression of Skills Map

Parent Support

https://www.twinkl.co.uk/resources/twinkl-phonics/level-2-twinkl-phonics

https://www.twinkl.co.uk/reading-scheme

https://www.twinkl.co.uk/resources/ks1-twinkl-go/english-ks1-twinkl-go/phonics-english-ks1-twinkl-go

We will be holding our parent workshop in the Spring term. This is what our families had to say about past workshops:

What did you enjoy about today's session? 

"Info given/ activities and being able to do them with our child...range of activities...supportive and hardworking teachers! Well done".

"All of it, especially the workshop with the children and seeing their excitement when completing the worksheets and how they were concentrating".

"Very informative. Enjoyed session with children".

"To know how much the children are being taught at school".

All feedback indicated that families;

- found the workshop informative and engaging

- felt supported as a parent/ carer

- felt that the workshop gave them more confidence in supporting their child as they learn to read. 

Thank you for taking time to feedback, we really appreciate it!

Subject Policy 

Phonics Lead - Mrs Hunter-Smith 

Mrs Hunter-Smith is our Phonics leader, who you can speak to if you would like to find out more about how we teach our Phonics Curriculum at Warwick Road Primary School.

Linked Subject Governor - Moira Hunt