We follow Little Wandle Letters and Sounds Revised  which is a complete SSP which has been built around the update (Letters and Sounds improving rates of progress 2021) and draws on excellent practice, as well as work with schools around the country. Little Wandle Letters and Sounds Revised also draws on the latest research into how children learn best; how to ensure learning stays in children’s long term memory and how best to enable children to apply their learning to become highly competent readers.

It incorporates seven features of effective phonics practice

• direct teaching in frequent, short bursts
• consistency of approach
• secure, systematic progression in phonics learning
• maintaining pace of learning
• providing repeated practice
• application of phonics using matched decodable books
• early identification of children at risk of falling behind, linked to the provision of effective keep-up support

In Reception and Year 1 children read Collins Big Cat for Little Wandle Letters and Sounds Revised books which are fully decodable books matched to our programme progression.

Parents

Resources on this page will help you support your child with saying their sounds and writing their letters. 

Support for Phonics

These three videos show you how to pronounce the sounds. Notice how the children don’t add an ‘uh’ sound at the end, so they say: ‘t’ not ‘tuh’.

Phase 2 sounds taught in Reception Autumn 1 https://youtu.be/shlSQrleibs

Phase 2 sounds taught in Reception Autumn 2 https://youtu.be/tKUEQFXXfYY

Phase 3 sounds taught in Reception Spring 1 https://youtu.be/wxRMoHynvy0

How we teach

Reception and Year 1 teaching programme overview here to see what your child will learn and when.

The following videos demonstrate how we teach your child specific aspects of phonics in class.

How we teach blending https://youtu.be/9Y9KM4Jwer8

How we teach tricky words https://youtu.be/Pz1btyNd5sM

A quick guide to alien words https://youtu.be/i2Q2Hat2CZg

Supporting your child with reading

Although your child will be taught to read at school, you can have a huge impact on their reading journey by continuing their practice at home.

There are two types of reading book that your child may bring home:

A reading practice book. This will be at the correct phonic stage for your child. They should be able to read this fluently and independently.

A sharing book.  Your child will not be able to read this on their own. This book is for you both to read and enjoy together.

Reading practice book

This book has been carefully matched to your child’s current reading level. If your child is reading it with little help, please don’t worry that it’s too easy – your child needs to develop fluency and confidence in reading.

Listen to them read the book. Remember to give them lots of praise – celebrate their success! If they can’t read a word, read it to them. After they have finished, talk about the book together.

Sharing book

In order to encourage your child to become a lifelong reader, it is important that they learn to read for pleasure. The sharing book is a book they have chosen for you to enjoy together.

Please remember that you shouldn’t expect your child to read this alone. Read it to or with them. Discuss the pictures, enjoy the story, predict what might happen next, use different voices for the characters, explore the facts in a non-fiction book. The main thing is that you have fun!