Reading / Phonics

Our Vision for Early Reading and Phonics

our vision for early reading and phonics.pdf

Early Reading & Phonics

Phonics is taught throughout the school using the Rocket Phonics scheme, a programme for 4-7 year-olds, which ensures systematic coverage and progression.

In Key Stage 1, the children are taught whole class for a 30 minute session each day, led by class teachers, with additional intervention groups led by trained learning support staff (in response to misconceptions). The children are assessed regularly to ensure that they are making the expected progress. Year 1 children take part in statutory Phonics Screening during Term 6, and parents are informed of their child’s achievement at the end of the school year.

In EYFS, Phonics is taught whole class from September – progressing gradually up to the whole 30 minute session each day by Christmas.

Writing progresses from talking and composing sentences orally to being able to write sentences with support and, later on, independently. Writing is linked to storytelling and to the children’s own experiences, as well as to the topics taught. Phonics is used to support the early stages of writing, and spelling patterns are taught as the children’s skills progress. Great emphasis is also placed on handwriting and learning the correct letter formation and pencil control from early on. Please see our recent parent presentation below for more information.

phonics parent presentation.pdf

Rocket Phonics half-termly expected progression

rocket phonics half termly expected progression.pdf

Reading (whole class and 1 to 1)

Each class has at least two guided reading lessons a week which focus on developing comprehension skills.  Opportunities for independent reading are built into the daily timetable. Teachers regularly read a variety of high quality texts to pupils to build a love of reading for pleasure.  

In EYFS and KS1, children will take home Rocket Phonics books that are matched to their phonics level. 

Throughout the schools pupils are able to choose from a wide range of books from the school library and key stage book nooks. Teachers support pupils in selecting appropriate texts. 

Phil & Jim’s library

All children at Phil & Jim are members of the school library, which is run by our Y6 librarians. The library is open every lunchtime and teachers are able to visit with their class at any time.  Children can borrow up to 2 books at any one time.

Phil & Jim’s reading challenge

Each year group has a list of 30 books. There are a variety of genres and text types on the list, including comic books, picture books, non-fiction, poetry and longer novels – so there’s something for everyone! The books can be read in any order and children can take as long as they like with each book. When they have completed a book, they should ask their parent or teacher to sign off the entry on the list. Once they have read 10 books from the list, and they have been signed off, they should bring the list to Miss Handley or a Y6 librarian, and they will be awarded a Bronze badge. Upon reading another 10 books, they will receive their Silver badge, and finally upon completion of the list, a Gold badge!  The Reading Challenge can be found in the school library and at the bottom of this page.

Reading expectations at home

We encourage and expect our children to read every day at home. All children have a reading record that is taken home daily. This journal enables children and parents/carers to document their reading journey.  Children benefit from reading to an adult, reading independently and from being read to. 

It is important that children experience a wide range of texts, so please encourage your child to read as widely as possible. (Examples include: comics, graphic novels, picture books, novels and age-appropriate newspaper reports/articles.)

Reading books and record books should be kept in the pupil’s school bag, and brought to school each day. 

Useful links:

• 7 important questions to ask your child during story time
• Help your child learn to read
• Oxford Owl – help your child learn
• Questions to support reading at home

Reading record house point reminder:

Filling in a reading record regularly is an easy way to tally up house points:

3x recordings = 1 house point

5x recordings = 2 house points

7x recordings = 3 house points

• EYFS Reading Challenge download_for_offline
  download_for_offlineEYFS Reading Challenge
• Y1 Reading Challenge download_for_offline
  download_for_offlineY1 Reading Challenge
• Y2 Reading Challenge download_for_offline
  download_for_offlineY2 Reading Challenge
• Y3 Reading Challenge download_for_offline
  download_for_offlineY3 Reading Challenge
• Y4 Reading Challenge download_for_offline
  download_for_offlineY4 Reading Challenge
• Y5 Reading Challenge download_for_offline
  download_for_offlineY5 Reading Challenge
• Y6 Reading Challenge download_for_offline
  download_for_offlineY6 Reading Challenge