Phonics

Our subject lead for phonics is Jo Higgins.

We use the Unlocking Letters and Sounds accredited learning scheme – to learn more please see the 3iii statement below. You can also find a copy of the presentation given to Key Stage 1 parents outlining our approach. 

At Vallis, we believe that all our children can become fluent readers and writers. We have a strong focus, at Vallis, on our language development for our children because we know how important speaking and listening skill are to the development of reading and writing in all subjects. This is why we teach early reading through ‘Unlocking Letters and Sounds’, a systematic and synthetic phonics programme. We start teaching phonics in Reception class and rigorously follow the revised progression of the scheme until the end of the autumn term in Year 2. As a result, our children are able to tackle any unfamiliar words as they read. 

We also model the application of the alphabetic code through shared reading and writing, both inside and outside of the phonics lesson and across the curriculum. 

Assessment 

Phonics Screening 

Every Year 1 child in the summer term will take the national Phonics Screening Check. This is a phonics-based check where children will be expected to read 40 simple, decodable words including nonsense, or alien, words. This is a progress check to identify those children not at the expected level in their reading. Children will be rechecked in Year 2 if they do not reach the expected level and will be supported with appropriate intervention.

No child left behind – inclusion 

Teachers include all pupils fully in their daily phonic lessons. All children benefit from participating in watching, and listening to other children demonstrating and explaining their ideas. Differentiated work, appropriate to individual children’s needs, is provided in the independent work during the day and also during intervention sessions.