Rationale
At Newhall Park Primary School, we believe that learning to read and write are fundamental skills that underpin all future learning.
To support early reading, spelling, and writing, we follow Little Wandle Letters and Sounds Revised, a systematic synthetic phonics programme. Starting in Reception, the programme follows a clear progression that enables children to build secure knowledge of the alphabetic code. This supports not only confident decoding when reading, but also accurate spelling and the development of early writing skills.
Daily phonics lessons are short, focused, and engaging, with regular assessment to quickly identify and support any children who need additional input. Pupils apply their phonics knowledge in both reading and writing tasks, helping them make strong links between sounds and words.
Reading practice sessions take place three times a week in Reception, Year 1 and Year 2. Taught in small groups, these sessions focus on three key areas: decoding, prosody, and comprehension. Books are carefully matched to each child’s secure phonics knowledge, ensuring success and confidence.
Through this structured and supportive approach, we hope that our pupils will become fluent readers, accurate spellers, and confident writers—equipped with the skills they need to succeed across the curriculum and beyond.
Phonics Vision
Mrs Davis ‘I want to give every child a strong start in reading, writing, and spelling through a solid foundation in phonics. I believe that with the right support, all children can develop the skills, confidence, and curiosity they need to make good progress.
It’s truly rewarding to watch children develop their phonemic awareness—recognising sounds, blending them into words, and applying these skill in both reading and spelling. These early literacy skills also lay the groundwork for writing, as children begin to express themselves more independently on the page.
I believe that a secure foundation in early literacy opens doors to future learning. While every child’s journey is unique, my aim is to inspire a love of reading and writing by providing purposeful, enjoyable learning experiences in phonics that help to build confidence and foster a lifelong appreciation of language.’
Curriculum information
All the pdfs at the bottom of the page can be kept except for two. The PDF file ‘phonics information’ can be removed as it is just a longer version of the rationale above so it’s not necessary. The pdf programme progression can also be removed as I can send you the pdfs straight from the Little Wandle website.