Phonics

At St Joseph's Infant School, we follow the Little Wandle Letters and Sounds Revised programme—a systematic, synthetic phonics approach designed to help every child become a confident reader. Rooted in the latest research and classroom practice, Little Wandle builds children's phonic knowledge step-by-step, from Reception through Year 2, with daily review, targeted support, and fully decodable books. It ensures children move swiftly from learning to read to reading to learn, unlocking the joy and power of literacy.

At St Joseph's Infant School, we are committed to ensuring that every child becomes a confident, fluent reader. We use the Little Wandle Letters and Sounds Revised programme to deliver high-quality, systematic phonics teaching from the very start of Nursery and Reception.

Our intent is to:

• Build strong foundations in reading through clear, consistent, and cumulative phonics instruction.
• Ensure equity and access so all children keep up rather than catch up.
• Foster a love of reading by enabling children to decode with confidence and enjoy success with fully decodable books.
• Support early language development through rich vocabulary, oral rehearsal, and reading for meaning.
• Empower staff with robust training and resources to deliver phonics with fidelity and precision.

Phonics Curriculum Implementation

Phonics is taught daily in Reception, Year 1 and Year 2 using the Little Wandle progression, which aligns with the National Curriculum and the latest research in reading development. Key features include:

• Daily whole-class phonics sessions with a consistent structure and pace.
• Keep-up interventions delivered promptly to ensure no child falls behind.
• Fully decodable reading books matched precisely to each child’s phonics stage.
• Regular assessment to inform teaching and identify gaps.
• Ongoing staff training to maintain high standards and consistency across the school.

Phonics Curriculum Impact

By the end of Year 1, children will:

• Read fluently and confidently using their phonics knowledge to decode unfamiliar words.
• Demonstrate strong phonemic awareness and apply it across the curriculum.
• Enjoy reading and engage with a wide range of texts independently.
• Be well-prepared for the Year 1 Phonics Screening Check and for the transition to Key Stage 2 reading.

We measure impact through:

• Phonics assessments and progress tracking.
• Pupil voice and reading behaviours.
• Outcomes in the Phonics Screening Check and beyond.