Intent
We believe that reading is integral to all learning so it is our mission to ensure that all children succeed in this area. We understand the importance of phonics skills and how vital they are in the development of competent readers. From the start of their journey with us, children are supported to learn these skills through a consistent approach to the teaching of phonics.
Implementation
We follow Pearson’s Bug Club phonics which is a rigorous, systematic and synthetic phonic programme. Phonic sessions are fast paced and multisensory, taking into account kinaesthetic, visual and auditory learners. We believe this ensures every opportunity for all children to engage and learn. We monitor children regularly to assess where support is needed and implement targeted intervention quickly.
Our phonic reading books offer a diverse range of fiction and non-fiction texts and are closely matched to the graphemes taught within school.  Each child is assigned books to meet their individual phonic progression to challenge them at their appropriate level. These ‘decodable’ books are also shared at home for children to practice until fluent. We believe this helps children build confidence in their own ability as a reader.
Throughout school we strive to encourage a rounded approach to reading. Children are exposed to words, print and text within the whole school environment. We believe this provides them with the opportunity to independently use, apply and embed their phonic skills in a range of situations which helps them understand the true importance of reading.

Impact
Through the teaching of systematic phonics, our aim is for children to become fluent readers by the end of Key Stage One. This way, children can focus on developing their fluency and comprehension as they move through KS2.
In reception, year 1 and year 2, there is a review session which recaps the learning each week. There are also review weeks to address gaps identified by the class teacher’s ongoing formative assessment. These are done at the end of phonic blocks or when individual teachers feel they are appropriate for their class/group. Phonic checks are completed half termly to identify children in danger of falling behind. They are then provided with ‘keep up’ sessions which follow the Bug Club Phonic programme.
The children in Y1 sit the Phonics Screening Check in the summer term. Children who do not pass the Phonics Screening Check in Y1, will re-sit this in Y2.
Children in Y2-Y3, who have not achieved the expected level in phonics, receive targeted intervention sessions and are assessed through teacher’s ongoing formative assessment as well as half termly summative assessments.

Click here to access the login page to Bug Club Phonics so you can access the work allocated to your child.

Click here to read our Parent’s guide to Phonics and Early reading, using our Bug Club Phonics Scheme.