Phonics and Reading

How we teach Phonics 

The staff at Puriton plan fun, interactive phonics lessons using the ‘Little Wandle’ scheme. Assessments are carried out regularly to ensure children are taught the appropriate “phase” according to their learning needs and not just their age.

There are 5 phases:

• Phase 1 taught at pre-school.
• Phases 2, 3 and 4 are taught in Reception.
• Phases 5 is taught in Year 1.

However, we all know that children are all different and some may need additional time and/or extra support to apply their knowledge and secure their learning.  

Phonics and Reading

In EYFS and Year 1 classes, reading is taught through daily phonics lessons. Planned guided reading sessions take place regularly, so children can apply their phonic knowledge and have the opportunity to learn other reading skills by using the VIPERS objectives from the National Curriculum.  They have eBooks that they can access at home and then can take home other books to share with parents during the week.   In Year 2, the children who need to, have daily phonics lessons, whilst the majority of the class have daily spelling lessons.  

• In Key Stage 1, reading is taught through daily phonics, whole class reading and guided group reading.
• In Key Stage 2, reading is taught through whole class reading. 
• Children in Key Stage 2 participate in phonic sessions as needed. 
• In Key Stage 1 and Key Stage 2, ILI and Rapid Reading is used to give extra support to pupils when needed.
• In Key Stage 1 and Key Stage 2, each child is provided with a Home-School Reading Diary to enable teachers to monitor reading at home.

Whole class reading  

• The teacher selects a high-quality piece of children's literature or non-fiction text that will challenge all pupils.
• The learning objective for the session is the same for all pupils but scaffolding is given when needed. 
• The teacher reads the text to the class, modelling fluency, intonation and comprehension, and pupils follow the text with their own copy. Children are also chosen to read at times, enabling them to develop their fluency.
• The teacher uses skilful questioning and discussion to help pupils get to grips with new vocabulary and develop their understanding of the text.
• Pupils work on questions/activities that help them to develop their comprehension of the text. 

Reading Comprehension

Staff follow VIPERS (Vocabulary, Inference, Prediction, Explain, Retrieval and Summarising/sequencing) to develop the children's comprehension skills.  

Assessment

In EYFS and Year 1, children are assessed in daily phonics lessons and then formally assessed every 6 weeks following the Little Wandle scheme.  Children who do not achieve expectations each term, will then follow the 'Rapid catch-up' and 'Daily Keep-up' sessions to ensure that they fill any gaps in their phonic understanding.  In KS1 and 2 each child's progress is assessed weekly against the VIPERS objectives.