Phonics and Reading in EYFS and Key Stage 1

Phonics and Reading in EYFS and Key Stage 1

At Weston Village Primary School, we understand the vital importance of teaching every child to read. Reading is the gateway to all other learning, and we aim to nurture confident, skilled readers who love books and enjoy the lifelong benefits of reading for pleasure.

We use the Read Write Inc. (RWI) programme as the foundation of our phonics teaching in Early Years and Key Stage 1. This systematic, engaging approach supports children in developing their decoding skills, building fluency, and fostering a deep understanding of texts.

How We Teach Phonics

From the start of Reception, children take part in daily, structured phonics sessions. These lessons focus on:

• Recognising and pronouncing phonemes (sounds).

• Linking phonemes to graphemes (letters).

• Reading and spelling words with increasing accuracy.

Phonics teaching begins with Set 1 Sounds, helping children grasp the building blocks of reading. As they progress, they tackle more complex sound patterns, learning how to blend sounds to read words and segment them for spelling.

To ensure lessons meet every child’s needs, children are grouped according to their current understanding and are regularly assessed to track progress. This targeted approach allows all pupils to move through the programme at a pace that suits them, ensuring no one is left behind.

Making Reading Fun and Accessible

Our aim is for children to see themselves as readers right from the start. The books we use are closely matched to each child’s phonics knowledge, giving them the confidence to apply their skills successfully. These books are designed to be fully decodable, ensuring early reading feels achievable and enjoyable.

In addition to phonics-based books, our staff share a diverse selection of stories, poems, and non-fiction texts to build vocabulary, inspire curiosity, and instil a love of literature. Reading aloud is a daily feature in every classroom.

What Makes Our Phonics Programme Successful?

At Weston, we’ve seen excellent outcomes thanks to five key principles that underpin our approach:

1. Energy and Enthusiasm – Lessons are fast-paced, interactive, and engaging. Children participate actively, ensuring they stay focused and motivated.

2. Positive Reinforcement – Success is celebrated at every step. Praise builds confidence and helps children stay resilient when tackling new challenges.

3. Clear Goals – Every activity has a clear purpose, ensuring children understand what they’re learning and why.

4. Inclusion – All children take part fully in lessons through paired work, group practice, and individual contributions.

5. Passion for Reading – Our staff’s enthusiasm for teaching phonics and reading is infectious. This creates a learning environment where children feel excited about books and stories.

Progression in Reading

Children’s reading journeys at Weston Village follow a carefully structured path:

• Foundation Stage: Begin with sound-blending books designed for early readers.

• Key Stage 1: Move through progressively challenging decodable books, tailored to their phonics knowledge. Regular assessments ensure every child is supported to make progress.

• Beyond Phonics: Once children complete the RWI programme and progress to the end of our banded book scheme, they transition to reading a wide variety of books from our extensive libraries.

We complement phonics books with a broad selection of high-quality picture books, chapter books, and non-fiction texts. These books not only help develop fluency and comprehension but also encourage children to explore new ideas, broaden their horizons, and spark their imagination.

Supporting Parents

We recognise the vital role parents play in helping children become confident readers. Through workshops, information sessions, and take-home resources, we equip families with the tools and knowledge to support their child’s learning journey at home.

At Weston Village Primary School, we believe that reading is the key to unlocking a world of opportunity. By combining structured phonics teaching with a love for stories and language, we ensure every child becomes a confident, capable reader ready for the challenges ahead.