At Samlesbury, the systematic teaching of phonics is given a very high priority throughout the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS), Key Stage 1 and, where necessary, beyond. We recognise that reading and writing are essential life skills, and we are committed to developing confident, fluent readers and writers who develop a lifelong love of reading.
Why is phonics important?
Phonics teaches children the relationship between sounds (phonemes) and the letters or groups of letters (graphemes) that represent them in written language. This knowledge enables children to decode words by sounding out written words (blending sounds) so that they can read the word, and to encode words by writing words by breaking them into sounds (segmenting).
The National Curriculum requires schools to teach reading using a systematic synthetic phonics approach, which ensures children are taught letter–sound relationships in a clearly structured and progressive way. Secure phonics knowledge is essential for children to be successful in the Year 1 Phonics Screening Check and, more importantly, to become independent readers and writers.
How is phonics taught at Samlesbury?
We use the Floppy’s Phonics programme to deliver high-quality, systematic phonics teaching. This programme fully aligns with the requirements of the National Curriculum and supports children to build their knowledge step by step.
- Phonics is taught daily to all children in EYFS and Key Stage 1.
- Teaching is carefully structured and progressive, ensuring children revisit and build upon prior learning.
- Lessons are adapted and differentiated to meet the needs of all learners.
How are children assessed and supported?
Children’s phonics knowledge is assessed regularly through ongoing informal teacher assessment / observation during lessons as well as more formal phonics checks (eg the Year 1 Phonics Screening Check). This ongoing assessment is used to:
- identify what children know and can do;
- pinpoint any gaps in learning;
- inform planning and targeted support.
This responsive approach ensures that no child is left behind and that support is put in place quickly when needed.
Are children given reading books?
Each child is provided with a phonics reading book that closely matches their current phonics knowledge. This ensures children can practise applying their phonics skills successfully and develop confidence and fluency. We ask for your help at home by listening to your child read regularly and making a comment in their reading record.
In addition, each child will also choose a school library book to bring home for you to share together with the aim of enjoying a wide range of books, stories and texts to foster a love of reading.
How can we support our child's reading at home?
Please aim to set aside time each day to sit and read with your child. This might be listening to them read their reading book or you reading a book of their choice to them (or both!).
We also send home sounds in children’s book bags and it would be really helpful if you could practise these sounds with your child as the more sounds they recognise, the easier they will find it to read and the more they are likely to enjoy reading.
Take a look at this video recorded by Mrs Smalley explaining all about phonics for more information.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jqW29Fuoc9I&t=434s
What impact do we hope daily phonics will have?
Our aim is that all children become fluent readers by the end of Key Stage 1. Secure phonics skills allow children to move beyond decoding and focus on developing reading fluency, comprehension and enjoyment as they progress through school.
However, at Samlesbury we believe that reading is the foundation for all learning. The true impact of our reading and phonics curriculum goes far beyond statutory test results, supporting children’s confidence, curiosity and success across the whole curriculum.