At Little Munden Primary School, we believe for all our children to become fluent readers and writers, phonics must be taught through a systematic and structured phonics programme.

We use the Little Wandle Letters and Sounds Revised to plan and provide daily, engaging phonics lessons.  In phonics, we teach children that the letters of the alphabet represent a different sound, that these can be used in a variety of combinations and are put together to make words.  The children learn to recognise all of the different sounds and combinations that they might see when they are reading and writing.  Our phonics teaching starts in Nursery and follows a very specific sequence that allows our children to build on their previous phonic knowledge and master specific phonic strategies as they move through the school.  As a result, all our children are able to tackle any unfamiliar words that they might discover.

How we teach phonics and Early Reading

In Nursery, children follow the Little Wandle Letters and Sounds Revised 'Foundations for Phonics' guidance.  The focus is on daily oral blending and language development through high quality stories and rhymes.

In Reception and Year 1, children follow the progression within LIttle Wandle Letters and Sounds Revised programme.  Phonics is taught daily and there is a review session on a Friday.

Phonics starts in Reception in week 2 to ensure the children make a strong start.

By the end of Reception, children will have been taught up to the end of phase 4.

By the end of Year 1, children will have been taught up to the end of phase 5.

Children in Year 2 recap any gaps in their phonics knowledge in the Autumn Term.

Reception lessons start at 15 minutes, with daily additional oral blending.

Year 1 lessons are 30 minutes long.

Reading practice sessions

Children across Reception, Year 1, Year 2 ( and beyond if appropriate)  apply their phonics knowledge by using a fully matched decodable reader in a small group reading practice session.

These sessions are 15 minutes long and happen 3 times a week in small groups.

The sessions follow the model set out in Little Wandle Letters and Sounds Revised.

The children then take the same book home to ensure success is shared with their family.

Children who are not yet blending will take a wordless book home.

How do we assess phonic knowledge?

In Reception, Year 1 and Year 2 there is a review session at the end of each week which recaps the learning. 

Children that are identified as falling behind will be part of 'keep up' sessions.  These follow Little Wandle Letters and Sounds Revised.

In Reception and Year 1, the children are assessed at the end of every half term using the assessment tracker provided by Little Wandle.

Children in Year 1 will complete the statutory Phonics Screening Check in the summer term.

Children who do not meet the standard in the Phonics Screening Check in Year 1, will complete this again in Year 2.

Reading for pleasure

Alongside daily teaching of phonics, reading for pleasure is an important part of our Early Reading Offer.  We ensure children develop a love of reading and are exposed to a range of interesting and relevant authors.  We promote a love of reading in the following ways.

Daily story time.

Whole class reading sessions which include a range of books that are mapped out to ensure the children have a rich reading diet.

Book areas within the classroom which have a careful selection of books.

Alongside children's decodable reading book, children also take home a reading for pleasure book each week to share with their families.

If you would like more information on how to support your child with phonics at home, please follow the link below:

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