Phonics and Early Reading

At Weston Village Primary School, we want every child to become a confident, fluent reader as quickly as possible.

Early reading is taught through Read Write Inc. Phonics, a systematic synthetic phonics programme. Children learn the sounds that letters and groups of letters represent, how to blend these sounds to read words, and how to apply this knowledge when reading books.

How We Teach Phonics

Children begin learning phonics in Reception and continue through Key Stage 1.

Teaching is structured and cumulative. Children learn to:

• recognise and say sounds

• link sounds to the letters that represent them

• blend sounds to read words

• segment words to support spelling

• read increasingly complex words and sentences

• develop fluency and expression

• understand and discuss what they have read.

Children practise using books that are closely matched to the sounds they know, so they can apply their phonics successfully and build confidence as readers.

Assessment and Grouping

Children are assessed regularly so that teaching is matched closely to what they know and what they need to learn next.

Within Read Write Inc., children work in progress groups based on their current phonics and reading knowledge. These groups are reviewed regularly so that children can move on as soon as they are ready.

Children who need additional practice receive further support to help them keep up and close gaps quickly.

Reading at Home

Reading at home plays an important part in helping children become fluent readers.

Children take home reading books matched to their current stage. We encourage families to read regularly with their child, giving them time to practise decoding, build fluency and talk about what they have read.

When reading together, it is helpful to:

• give your child time to work words out

• encourage them to use the sounds they know

• reread sentences to build fluency

• talk about unfamiliar words

• discuss characters, events and ideas

• keep reading enjoyable and positive.

Reading Beyond Phonics

As children become increasingly secure readers, the focus broadens from decoding towards fluency, vocabulary and comprehension.

Children encounter a wide range of fiction, non-fiction and poetry and learn to discuss, explain and interpret what they read.

Reading aloud also remains an important part of school life. Hearing high-quality texts supports vocabulary, comprehension and enjoyment of literature.

Phonics Screening Check

At the end of Year 1, children complete the statutory Phonics Screening Check.

Children who do not meet the expected standard receive additional support and complete the check again in Year 2.

The purpose of the check is to identify whether children have developed the phonic knowledge needed for successful reading and where further teaching may be required.

Supporting Every Child

Children learn to read at different rates.

Where a child needs more support, this may include additional phonics practice, extra opportunities to read with an adult or more targeted teaching.

Our aim is always to identify difficulties early and give children the practice they need to become increasingly confident and independent readers.

Find Out More

If you have any questions about phonics or your child’s reading, please speak to their class teacher.