Phonics
At Haslingfield Endowed Primary School, we believe that strong reading and writing skills begin with high‑quality phonics teaching. To help children become fluent, confident readers and writers, phonics is taught through a clear, systematic and well‑structured programme.
How we teach early reading
At Haslingfield Endowed Primary School, early reading is taught through Little Wandle Letters and Sounds Revised, which provides a clear, systematic and consistent approach to phonics.
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Through phonics, children learn that letters represent sounds and that these sounds can be blended together to read words and segmented to support spelling. They are taught to recognise all the sounds and sound combinations they will encounter when reading and writing.
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Phonics teaching begins in Reception and follows a carefully planned sequence that allows children to build on what they already know as they move through EYFS and Key Stage 1. This structured progression helps children tackle unfamiliar words with confidence.
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We model these reading and writing strategies throughout the school day, not just in phonics lessons, and place a strong emphasis on developing children’s spoken language because speaking and listening underpin success in reading and writing across the curriculum.
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Reading practice sessions
Children in Reception, Year 1 and Year 2 (and older pupils where appropriate) apply their phonics knowledge in small‑group reading practice sessions using fully decodable books matched to their current phonics stage.
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Sessions last 15 minutes, three times a week.
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Groups typically contain 6–10 children.
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Sessions follow the Little Wandle structure:
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Session 1: Decoding
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Session 2: Prosody (reading with expression)
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Session 3: Comprehension
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Children take home a fully decodable book each week (changed on Thursday or Friday) and a library book to enjoy with their family.
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In Reception, reading practice begins in week 4. Children who are not yet decoding take part in blending sessions and share picture books to build confidence.
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How we teach phonics
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In Reception and Year 1, children follow the full progression of Little Wandle Letters and Sounds Revised.
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Phonics is taught daily, with a review session every Friday.
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Teaching begins in Reception (weeks 3–4) once children have settled.
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By the end of Reception, children are taught up to the end of Phase 4.
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By the end of Year 1, children are taught up to the end of Phase 5.
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Reception lessons begin at 10 minutes, increasing to 20–30 minutes as soon as possible.
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Year 1 lessons last 20–30 minutes.
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In Years 2–3, daily phonics continues where needed, following the Little Wandle model and addressing gaps identified through assessment.
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In Years 3–6, children who need additional support take part in short, focused catch‑up sessions (10 minutes, at least three times a week) following a set structure.
How we assess phonics knowledge
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Weekly review sessions in Reception and Year 1 recap learning and address gaps.
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Additional review weeks are planned to support children who need more practice.
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Children who need extra help receive daily keep‑up sessions, following the Little Wandle structure.
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Half‑termly assessments track progress using the Little Wandle assessment tools.
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Year 1 children sit the Phonics Screening Check in the summer term.
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Children who do not meet the expected standard re‑sit the check in Year 2 after targeted support.
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In Years 2–6, children receiving catch‑up support are assessed through ongoing teacher assessment and half‑termly checks.