At Red Hill C of E Primary we have fidelity to the systematic synthetic reading and phonics scheme Little Wandle

                                                                                 

Little Wandle is a programme approved by the DFE and is used for both phonics and early reading across the school.

Phonics

Phonics plays an integral part of our curriculum, ensuring all children in EYFS and KS1 are taught to read as soon as possible. The Little Wandle Letters and Sounds Revised scheme supports children in recognising all 44 phonemes in the English alphabetical code and are taught how to blend these sounds in order to read alternative graphemes. We ensure that these lessons begin as soon as children enter Reception. Taking a huge priority, phonics is taught for twenty minutes each day with additional interventions for children in the lowest 20% of their cohort.

Children are expected to complete Phases 2, 3 and 4 in Reception, Phase 5 in Year 1 and a Spelling Scheme in Year 2, where they will finish the programme.

Throughout the year we complete half-termly assessments to ensure children are placed in the correct groups and are steadily progressing.

For more information about the Phonics programme we follow, visit: 

https://www.littlewandlelettersandsounds.org.uk/resources/for-parents/

 

 

 

Reading

Teaching children the love of reading is crucial at Red Hill and we take great pride in offering ample opportunities to help develop this positive attitude. A variety of texts are on offer in English lessons and pleasure for reading sessions to ensure children are engaged and eager to read a variety of texts with the intention of developing confident and fluent readers for their future.  We incorporate a range of books that tackle diversity, with authors and characters from a range of ethnic backgrounds.

All children in school have access to decodable books to ensure that they are able to excel and enjoy reading.  Ongoing phonics assessments will be used to match the correct book to your child's phonic ability to support their fluency.

Reading sessions in EYFS, Year 1 and Year 2 take place 3 times a week for 20 minutes a session. Each week will cover the following sessions:

Session 1: Decoding

Session 2: Prosody (Read with meaning, stress and intonation)

Session 3: Comprehension

Any child who is in need of catching up will received additional 1:1 reading throughout the school day.

 

 How to support your child at home

Reading At Home

We ask that you encourage your child to read for at least 10 minutes each day at home.  Each child will have a reading record sent home with their reading books for you to record on a daily basis. Your child’s teacher and/or Teaching Assistant will also listen to them across the week.

Early readers will receive a staged Little Wandle book each week to reread for fluency. These will include a sticker which says 'Read at Home'.

Children will also receive a 'book to share' from our reading corner or library to enjoy alongside an adult. These are to be read to encourage a love for reading, stories and the modelling of reading expression.

If you have any further queries about this reading scheme, please see your child’s teacher.

If you would like any further information about our English Curriculum at Red Hill, please do not hesitate to contact the school.

English subject lead – Mr Tom Patridge

Early Reading/Phonics leads - Mrs Sandra Saunders