Phonics
Supporting Every Child to Become a Confident Reader
At Elmwood Infant School, we are passionate about helping every child learn to read. Reading is at the heart of our curriculum and we believe that strong early reading skills give children the best possible start to their education.
We teach phonics through a systematic and engaging approach, enabling children to develop the skills they need to become fluent and confident readers.
Phonics at Elmwood Infant School
At Elmwood Infant School, we teach phonics through the Little Wandle Letters and Sounds Revised programme. Phonics helps children learn to read and write by matching sounds to letters and groups of letters.
How We Teach Phonics
Children take part in daily phonics lessons where they learn to:
- Recognise and say sounds.
- Blend sounds to read words.
- Segment words to support spelling.
- Develop fluency and confidence in reading.
Reading at Home
Children bring home reading books that are carefully matched to the sounds they have been taught in school. We encourage parents and carers to read regularly with their child and celebrate their progress.
Supporting Your Child
You can help by:
- Reading together every day.
- Practising phonics sounds and tricky words.
- Sharing stories, songs and nursery rhymes.
- Encouraging a love of books and reading.
Phonics Screening Check
In Year 1, children complete the statutory Phonics Screening Check. This short assessment helps schools identify how well children are applying their phonics knowledge when reading.
Children who do not meet the expected standard will receive additional support and continue to develop their phonics skills throughout Year 2. They will then have the opportunity to retake the Phonics Screening Check at the end of Year 2.
Useful Resources
Parents/ carers can access videos, sound pronunciation guides and advice for supporting reading at home through the Little Wandle parent resources page: