Reading & Phonics

Reading

We strive to give our children the best start in establishing secure foundations in reading by ensuring that all children become successful, fluent readers by the end of Key Stage One. We believe this is achievable through a combination of high quality, discrete systematic phonics teaching combined with a language rich curriculum. Our primary intent is to create avid readers, which we believe is the foundation for any greater depth learner. While phonics and fluency will be emphasised in the early teaching of reading, immersive whole-class reading sessions later take precedent and we use challenging texts to ensure our reading curriculum offers ambition and challenge. These sessions help to develop fluency but primarily focus on the contextualisation of language and literary devices.

We also prioritise establishing a reading culture in which children are encouraged to read widely and for pleasure. It is our intention that by the end of their primary education, all of our pupils will be able to: read fluently, with confidence, in any subject in their forthcoming secondary education; draw on their knowledge of quality literature to further drive their passion for reading and writing and continue on their journeys as life-long readers.

Phonics

At Lees Primary, we follow the Little Wandle Letters and Sounds Revised programme to ensure a consistent, research-based approach to teaching phonics. Phonics begins in Reception, with a strong foundation laid in Nursery through language-rich activities, rhymes, and stories.

Children in Reception and Year 1 receive daily, structured phonics sessions, progressing through Phases 2–5. Reading books are carefully matched to each child’s phonetic ability to build confidence and fluency.

We use targeted interventions and 1:1 reading support to help children keep up with their peers, not catch up later. This personalised approach continues into Year 2 and beyond, ensuring children are fully supported as they transition into Key Stage 2 and continue developing strong reading skills.

Reading & Phonics Long Term Plan