Phonics (Reading and Spelling)

We believe all our children can become readers and writers. We teach children to read and write through systematic synthetic phonics (SSP) programme. Research has proven that teaching phonics is the best way to teach children to read, and reading is fundamental to a child's ability to be successful across all areas of school life and beyond.

We use the Little Wandle Letters and Sounds Revised programme, which draws on the latest research into how children learn best. We start teaching phonics in Bumble Bee Class (Reception) and teach the children the alphabetic code so that they are able to tackle unfamiliar words as they read. We teach the application of the alphabetic code through phonics in shared reading and writing, both inside and outside of the phonics lesson and across the curriculum. Speaking and listening skills also have a high priority as they are essential for reading and writing across all subjects.

Children are taught phonics lessons as a class every day, following a clear progression. Through careful daily and summative assessment, children are identified for additional phonics support if necessary to ensure progress, with the aim of no child falling behind and every child becoming a successful reader. Teaching phonics with fidelity to our chosen programme ensures learning stays in children’s long term memory and enables children to apply their learning to become competent readers and writers.

https://www.littlewandlelettersandsounds.org.uk/about-us/

Comprehension

Reading is a crucial life skill. Children at Canterbury Road can read confidently for meaning and regularly enjoy reading for pleasure by the time they leave. They have the skills to tackle unfamiliar vocabulary and we encourage reading for pleasure too.