Phonics

From September 2024, our chosen phonics teaching programme is Essential Letters and Sounds. This is a phonics programme based on Letters and Sounds (2007) and is approved by the Department for Education. This new phonics programme will support your children in making quick progress to become fluent and confident readers.

Essential Letters and Sounds is an inclusive programme which ensures every child can learn to read. Accessibility has been considered at every stage. The consistent lesson structures, clear expectations, regular reinforcement and direct application ensure success for all learners.

Children who encounter difficulties are supported by the teacher throughout the lesson, and where further support is required, ELS has three interventions to ensure that any learning gaps are quickly filled.

Additional, tailored resources are available within the ELS Online subscription to support the needs of SEND learners. Resources are also available for teaching using a slowed progression, for learners who need more support to achieve the outcomes.

Further information for parents can be accessed below.

Beyond Phonics

Once our children can confidently use the 'building blocks' they have been taught to read fluently, they move onto the Accelerated Reader scheme. AR is a reading program that helps teachers support and monitor children’s reading practice. Your child picks a book at their own level and reads it at their own pace. When finished, your child takes a short online quiz to measure how much of the book they understood. This programme ensures children are reading books which they can access appropriately, but they have some level of choice in selecting.