Phonics and Reading

At Stimpson Avenue Academy, phonics is taught daily across Reception and KS1. We follow the Read Write Inc. scheme which provides a structured and systematic approach to teaching Reading.

What is Phonics?

Phonics involves teaching the children to recognise the sounds that each individual letter makes; to identify the sounds that different combinations of letters make – such as ‘sh’ or ‘oo’ and to blend letter sounds together from left to right to make a word.

Phonics is introduced to the children from the start of their time in Reception and continues throughout KS1. It is taught daily so that the children can build up and practise the skills they need to use in reading and writing.

During lessons we make sure that pupils read books that are closely matched to their level, increasing their knowledge of phonics and the common exception words. Children will also be sent home with a reading book that matches their level for them to support their learning.

The children are assessed using the RWI assessments every 6/8 weeks. The assessment identifies the children's progress so far and allows the Phonics lead to identify the children’s progress, organise ability based groupings and individuals next steps. Any child who is not making expected progress will be identified and ‘catch up’ interventions are put into place for this child. The final Year 1 statutory phonics assessment takes place in June. The check is designed to confirm whether individual children have learned sufficient phonic decoding and blending skills to an appropriate standard.