Phonics

Whole School Aims

Our selection of the Little Wandle phonics scheme aligns seamlessly with our whole school vision. By prioritising the development of strong phonics skills, we are equipping our pupils with the foundational literacy skills they need to succeed academically and beyond. Phonics instruction forms a crucial part of our holistic approach to education, setting the stage for lifelong learning and achievement.

Subject Vision

The teaching of phonics at Wyndham is driven by our intent to empower every pupil with the ability to decode and encode words fluently and accurately. We believe that a robust phonics curriculum is the key to unlocking literacy success for all our learners, regardless of their starting point. By teaching phonics using the Little Wandle scheme, we are laying the groundwork for confident readers and skilled communicators, enabling our pupils to access a world of knowledge and opportunities.

At Wyndham Primary School, we have carefully selected the Little Wandle synthetic phonics scheme as the cornerstone of our phonics curriculum for several compelling reasons. Little Wandle is a government-approved synthetic phonics scheme, ensuring that our phonics teaching aligns with national standards and best practises. This fidelity to a recognised scheme supports our teachers in developing their subject knowledge and delivery, ultimately benefiting our pupils.

In our specific context, with an increasing cohort of pupils eligible for free school meals (FSM), pupil premium (PP), and English as an Additional language (EAL), as well as average levels of SEND, we recognise the critical importance of providing a strong foundation in phonics. Many of our pupils enter the school with low levels of literacy, making it essential to implement a systematic and inclusive approach to phonics instruction. Little Wandle's structured and scaffolded approach allows us to support all learners, including those with speech and language issues, in acquiring essential phonics skills.

Furthermore, the Little Wandle scheme not only supports language acquisition but also provides opportunities for our pupils to develop their language skills, helping to reduce the vocabulary gap that may exist among our diverse pupil body. By incorporating a range of authors and stories into the phonics curriculum, we aim to promote diversity and inclusivity, ensuring that all pupils see themselves reflected in the materials they engage with.

Communication with Stakeholders

To effectively communicate our phonics curriculum rationale and implementation plan, we engage with stakeholders through various channels. Regular updates and training sessions are provided to teachers to ensure they are confident in delivering the phonics curriculum. Parents and carers receive information about the importance of phonics and how they can support their child's learning at home. We encourage parents to come into school to observe phonics sessions being taught, to be involved in Open Lessons and to also take part in Phonics specific workshops. Additionally, we involve Governors and external partners in monitoring the impact of the phonics curriculum to drive continuous improvement and success for all our pupils.

Reading

Whole School Aims

Our Reading curriculum aligns with our whole school vision by prioritising literacy development as a core component of academic success and holistic growth. We believe that by equipping our pupils with strong reading skills, we empower them to access knowledge, communicate effectively, and engage with the world around them.

Subject Vision

The intent of our Reading curriculum is to instil a love for reading, cultivate critical thinking skills, and nurture a lifelong passion for learning through literature. We aim to foster a supportive and inclusive reading environment where every pupil has the opportunity to excel and thrive academically and personally.

At Wyndham Primary School, our Reading curriculum is designed with a comprehensive approach to address the specific needs of our pupils, particularly those with low levels of literacy on entry, speech and language issues, and language acquisition challenges. We have chosen to use Little Wandle as our Phonics scheme as it provides effective scaffolding and support for our pupils, helping them develop language skills, reduce the vocabulary gap, and ultimately become confident readers.

Key Features of our Reading Curriculum

• Phonics Focus: We prioritise daily phonics sessions in KS1 and continue throughout KS2 for pupils who require catch-up support.
• Phonetically decodable books are sent home for pupils to read.
• Home Reading Support: We send reading for pleasure books and phonetically decodable books home on a weekly basis to encourage reading outside of school.
• Fluency Models: Our staff provide positive models for reading fluency to support pupils in developing their reading skills.
• Diversity and Inclusion: We promote diversity through a range of authors and stories in our reading materials to ensure representation and inclusivity.

National Curriculum Alignment

Our Reading curriculum aligns with the requirements of the National Curriculum by focusing on key aspects such as decoding, comprehension, fluency, and vocabulary development. By utilising Little Wandle for Phonics, we ensure that our pupils receive a systematic and structured approach to phonics instruction, laying a strong foundation for their reading development.

Communication with Stakeholders

To effectively implement our Reading curriculum, we will communicate with stakeholders through regular updates, parent workshops, Open Lessons and information sessions to highlight the importance of reading at home and school. We will also provide resources and guidance for parents to support their children's reading journey and encourage a collaborative approach to literacy development.

By prioritising phonics instruction, providing diverse reading materials, and fostering a love for reading, our Reading curriculum at Wyndham Primary School aims to empower our pupils to become confident, proficient readers who are equipped for academic success and personal growth.