Phonics
Phonics at Nonsuch Primary School
At Nonsuch Primary School, we believe that learning to read as quickly as possible is essential for children to transition from learning to read to reading to learn, unlocking the vast opportunities reading provides. We teach phonics and early reading through the Little Wandle Letters and Sounds Revised programme, a systematic and synthetic phonics approach. Synthetic phonics equips early readers with the skills to decode new words by recognising letter sounds and blending them together to form whole words.
Phonics teaching begins in Reception, following Little Wandle’s progression, which ensures children build a strong foundation in the alphabetic code and develop their ability to read and spell as they progress through school. In Reception and Year 1, children have daily phonics sessions in their classes. Reception children learn to read and spell words using Phase 2 and 3 GPCs, as well as words with adjacent consonants (Phase 4). In Year 1, children advance to reading and spelling words using Phase 5 GPCs with fluency and accuracy.
Throughout the school day, children are given regular opportunities to apply their phonics knowledge. For children who need extra practice, we provide daily Keep-up support to address any gaps identified by their teacher during phonics sessions. Additional phonics lessons are also timetabled for children in Year 2 and above who are not yet fluent in reading or have not passed the Phonics Screening Check.
Early Reading Practice Sessions
In addition to phonics lessons, children participate in three reading practice sessions per week. These sessions use books that are closely matched to the children’s secure phonic knowledge. Each session focuses on one of three key reading skills:
- Decoding: Recognising sounds and blending them to read words.
- Prosody: Reading with understanding and expression.
- Comprehension: Developing the ability to understand and discuss the text.
After these sessions, children take their decodable reading practice books home to consolidate their learning.
Phonics Screening Check
Children in Year 1 take the phonics screening check in early June. This assessment provides valuable information for teachers and parents about a child’s progress in phonics and identifies whether additional support is needed.
The screening consists of 40 words, split into two sections, including a mixture of real words and pseudo words (phonically decodable words that are not real). Pseudo words ensure that the check assesses phonics skills rather than memory of familiar words. Children in Year 2 who did not meet the threshold in Year 1 will also be assessed.