At St Joseph’s Infant School, we are passionate about helping every child become a confident, fluent reader. To support this, we follow the Little Wandle Letters and Sounds Revised programme—a carefully structured phonics approach that begins in Nursery and continues through Reception, Year 1 and Year 2. This programme is rooted in the latest research and classroom practice, and is designed to give all children the tools they need to succeed in reading.

From the very start, children are taught phonics every day in a consistent and engaging way. They learn how to recognise sounds, blend them to read words, and apply their knowledge to a wide range of texts. The programme ensures that children build their skills step-by-step, with regular review and support so that no one falls behind. Every child reads books that are matched precisely to their phonics stage, helping them experience success and enjoy reading from the beginning.

We believe that reading is the key to unlocking learning across the curriculum. That’s why we place such importance on developing strong foundations in phonics. Our staff receive ongoing training to deliver lessons with clarity and precision and we use regular assessments to track progress and identify any gaps early on.

By the end of Year 1, children are able to read fluently and confidently, using their phonics knowledge to decode unfamiliar words. They show a strong awareness of sounds and patterns in language and they enjoy reading independently. This prepares them well for the Year 1 Phonics Screening Check and sets them up for continued success in Key Stage 2.

At St Joseph’s, phonics is more than just a subject—it’s a gateway to a lifelong love of reading and learning.