Intent

Our phonics curriculum aims to give every child the strongest possible start in early reading and writing. We celebrate the rich diversity of each learner and ensure that phonics is taught within an inclusive, nurturing environment where all children can succeed.

We prioritise the development of secure phonic knowledge as a foundation for lifelong learning. Through Little Wandle Letters and Sounds Revised, children gain the skills to decode confidently and apply their phonics to reading and spelling. We foster independence, resilience and enjoyment by ensuring phonics lessons are engaging, well-paced and motivating.

Our curriculum values creativity and connects learning to children’s experiences and our local context of Chichester. Children develop confidence, collaboration and well-being through supportive routines that help them feel safe, happy and empowered.

Implementation

Phonics is taught daily using Little Wandle Letters and Sounds Revised, following a clear and systematic progression from Nursery to Year 2. Lessons include modelling, repetition, oral blending, segmenting and practice that ensures children build knowledge step by step. Assessment is regular and responsive, enabling keep-up sessions to be provided swiftly so that all children stay on track.

Children read fully decodable books matched to their secure phonics knowledge three times a week. These sessions develop decoding, fluency and comprehension while reinforcing the sounds and graphemes being taught. As children progress, they apply their phonics skills across the curriculum in both reading and writing. Children who can read all of the Phase 5 sounds and can read them confidently within the Phase 5 reading books are then progressed onto Fluency level books. These texts further support their ability to decode, use prosody and develop their comprehension.

In the Early Years, phonics learning is embedded through play, songs, rhymes and high-quality interactions. Adults model sounds accurately, extend vocabulary and provide opportunities for mark-making, early writing and oral blending.

Classrooms provide supportive environments with phonics displays, sound mats, resources and prompts that help children apply their learning independently. Families are supported through shared expectations, workshops and guidance so phonics learning continues at home.

Chichester’s local context is used within reading and writing opportunities to make phonics meaningful and connected to children’s real experiences

Impact

By the end of Year 2, children develop secure phonic knowledge and use it confidently to read and spell. They show increasing fluency and accuracy when reading decodable texts and demonstrate independence when applying phonics in their writing.

Assessment shows strong, sustained progress for all learners, including those who receive additional support. Children talk confidently about sounds and graphemes, and show resilience and pride in their reading and writing achievements.

Pupil voice indicates that children enjoy phonics lessons and see themselves as successful early readers. Most pupils leave Key Stage 1 well-prepared for more complex reading and spelling, with the strong foundations needed for the next stage of their education and for lifelong learning.