All pupils in Reception and Year 1 have phonic sessions each morning. We changed scheme to ELS where there is a great focus on keep up not catch up, which means we support the children to all learn at the same pace to cover and learn the content. The school bases its phonics teaching on the DfE validated systematic synthetic phonics ELS programme . Children are encouraged to use their phonic knowledge to sound out words, helping them to develop their reading skills and spelling.
In Reception the children are assessed and then are given an appropriate reading book to begin within the first week. Phonically decodable books that are linked to their phonics phase are used throughout KS1.
Below is a video explaining and modelling how to help your child begin to read:
Once pupils begin the reading scheme it is colour banded and includes a variety of commercially produced reading books. Pupils may progress onto another colour band without reading every book in that colour range and at other times more consolidation of a certain stage may be required. As older pupils become more confident and independent readers then they progress onto free readers from the class or central library, which includes a range of genres. We still use phonics throughout and support the children as they progress through KS2.
In KS2 we use explicit reading sessions, to focus upon the teaching of reading skills, along with our focus upon vocabulary. We are working on creating a love of reading through a number of activities such as: more teacher modelling, a high quality reading spine to expose the children to different genres, author visits and sharing a good book with a buddy, alongside more specific targeted support for some children.
In order to support your child at home Lancashire Library produced the following Reading-with-your-Child document to help.
