Phonics
Phonics at Hurst Hill Primary School
At Hurst Hill Primary School, phonics is a vital part of our Early Years and Key Stage 1 curriculum. We are committed to ensuring that all children learn to read as early and as confidently as possible. To support this, we follow the Little Wandle Letters and Sounds Revised programme, which teaches children to recognise all 44 phonemes in the English alphabetical code, blend these sounds to read words, and identify alternative graphemes.
Phonics teaching begins as soon as children join our Nursery. It is prioritised daily, with a 30‑minute lesson for all pupils and additional targeted support for children who need extra help, including those in the lowest 20% of each cohort.
Children are expected to progress through the following phases:
- Nursery: Foundations for Phonics
- Reception: Phases 2, 3 and 4
- Year 1: Phase 5
Older pupils who require further support access the Rapid Catch‑Up or SEND phonics programmes.
For more information about the programme we use, please visit:
https://www.littlewandlelettersandsounds.org.uk/resources/for-parents/
What Is Phonics?
Phonics is a method of teaching children to read quickly and effectively. Children learn how to:
- Recognise the sounds each individual letter makes
- Identify the sounds made by combining letters (such as sh, oo, ai)
- Blend these sounds together to read words
This enables children to decode new or unfamiliar words—a crucial early step in becoming confident readers.
Why Do We Teach Phonics?
Research shows that a structured, systematic phonics programme is the most effective way to teach young children to read, especially between the ages of 5 and 7. Almost all children who receive strong phonics teaching learn the skills to tackle new words and develop accuracy and fluency.
This approach is also highly supportive for children who find reading difficult, including those with dyslexia.
The Phonics Screening Check
All Year 1 children take the national Phonics Screening Check in June. This short, one‑to‑one assessment enables us to confirm whether pupils have reached the expected standard for decoding.
How the Check Works
- Children read 40 words aloud to a familiar teacher.
- Some words are real, while others are non‑words (or ‘nonsense words’).
- The check is brief, has no time limit, and is designed to be low‑stress.
Why Non‑Words?
Non‑words such as vap or jound ensure children use their decoding skills rather than relying on memory. This allows for a fair assessment of phonics knowledge.
After the Check
Parents are informed of their child’s results in the end‑of‑year report.
Children who do not meet the expected standard receive additional support and re-take the check in Year 2.
Supporting Your Child With Phonics at Home
Phonics is most successful when children are encouraged and supported both in school and at home. Here are some practical ways you can help:
- Attend parent workshops or speak to your child’s teacher about the phonics being taught in school.
- Practise the sounds your child is learning each week, including digraphs such as ee, ch, and ck.
- Encourage your child to sound out unfamiliar words and blend the sounds together.
- Read decodable books at home—these contain words that match the phonics your child has been taught.
- Read with your child daily and encourage them to blend through the whole word.
- Play simple word games such as I-spy to help develop sound awareness.
- Use your child’s reading record to share comments, successes and areas where they may need help.
At Hurst Hill, we work in partnership with families to ensure every child develops the confidence and enjoyment needed to become a lifelong reader.