Phonics

At Dorothy Barley Infant School, we believe that all our children can become fluent readers and writers. This is why we prioritise early reading and teach it using Little Wandle Letters and Sounds Revised, a systematic and synthetic phonics programme. We value reading as a crucial life skill and believe that all children should leave our school with a love of reading.

At Dorothy Barley Infant School, we are passionate about reading. We believe that all our children can become fluent readers and writers. This is why we teach reading through Little Wandle Letters and Sounds Revised, which is a systematic and synthetic phonics programme. We start teaching phonics in Nursery and follow the Little Wandle Letters and Sounds Revised progression, which ensures children build on their growing knowledge of the alphabetic code, mastering phonics to read and spell as they move through school.

Phonics And Early Reading Policy

Progression

We start teaching Little Wandle Foundations in our Nursery and then, from Reception, we follow the Little Wandle Letters and Sounds Revised progression, which ensures children build on their growing knowledge of the alphabetic code, mastering phonics to read and spell as they move through school.

Phonics Progression

How to Help at Home

We expect all of our children to read to an adult at home every day. Although your child will be taught to read at school, you can have a vital impact on their reading journey by continuing their practice at home. There are two types of reading book that your child will bring home in the early stages of learning to read:

A reading practice book – This will be at the correct phonic stage for your child. They should be able to read this fluently and independently.

A library book – Your child will not be able to read this on their own. This book is for you both to read and enjoy together.

Reading practice book

This book has been carefully matched to your child’s current reading level. If your child is reading it with little help, please don’t worry that it’s too easy – your child needs to develop fluency and confidence in reading. Listen to them read the book. Remember to give them lots of praise – celebrate their success! If they can’t read a word, read it to them. After they have finished, talk about the book together.

Library book

In order to encourage your child to become a lifelong reader, it is important that they learn to read for pleasure. The library book is a book they have chosen for you to enjoy together. Please remember that you shouldn’t expect your child to read this alone. Read it to or with them. Discuss the pictures, enjoy the story, predict what might happen next, use different voices for the characters, explore the facts in a non-fiction book. The main thing is that you have fun!

Workshops and Live Lessons

At Dorothy Barley Infant School, we host termly workshops for parents and carers, where more information about Little Wandle is shared. This includes ideas for how you can help at home. We also regularly invite families into ‘Live Lessons’, where you can visit your child’s class and see a phonics lesson in action.

Support Videos

The Little Wandle website has resources to help you support your child with saying their sounds and writing their letters. There are also useful videos so you can see how they are taught at school and feel confident about supporting their reading at home.