Phonics (Reading and Spelling)

We believe that all our children can become fluent readers and writers. This is why we teach children to read and write through a rigorous and consistent systematic synthetic phonics (SSP) programme. Research has proven that teaching phonics is the best way to teach children to read, and reading is fundamental to a child's ability to be successful across all areas of school life and beyond. 

At Tattershall Primary School, we have introduced the Little Wandle Letters and Sounds Revised programme, which draws on the latest research into how children learn best. We start teaching phonics in the Reception year and follow the Little Wandle Letters and Sounds Revised Progression (see below), which ensures children build on their growing knowledge of the alphabetic code, mastering phonics to read and spell as they move through school. As a result, our children are able to tackle unfamiliar words as they read. We also model the application of the alphabetic code through phonics in shared reading and writing, both inside and outside of the phonics lesson and across the curriculum. We have a strong focus on language development for our children because we know that speaking and listening are crucial skills for reading and writing in all subjects.

Children are taught phonics lessons as a class every day, following the clear progression (which can be viewed on the link above). Through careful daily and summative assessment, children are identified for additional phonics support if necessary to ensure progress, with the aim of no child falling behind and every child becoming a successful reader. Teaching phonics with fidelity to our chosen programme ensures learning stays in children’s long-term memory and enables children to apply their learning to become competent readers and writers. 

Comprehension

We value reading as a crucial life skill. During their time with us, children learn to read confidently for meaning and regularly enjoy reading for pleasure. Our readers are equipped with the tools to tackle unfamiliar vocabulary. We encourage our children to see themselves as readers for both pleasure and purpose.

Because we believe teaching every child to read is so important, we have a Reading Leader who drives the early reading programme in our school. This person is highly skilled at teaching phonics and reading, and they monitor and support our reading team, so everyone teaches with fidelity to the Little Wandle Letters and Sounds Revised programme.

The Reading Spine

The Reading Spine is a core of books that create a living library inside a child’s minds: a store of classics and essential reads that help children engage at a deeper level and enter the world of the story, fostering a love of reading from Reception to Year 6.

Great books build the imagination. The more we read aloud expressively, and the more children are able to savour, discuss and reinterpret literature through the arts, the more memorable the characters, places and events become, building an inner world.

Reading develops the ability to think in the abstract; to follow lines of thought. Schools that have a reading spine, build a common bank of stories that bind the community together. These are shared and deeply imagined common experiences.

Lincolnshire Reading Pledge

Tattershall Primary School is delighted to have been awarded Bronze as part of the Lincolnshire Reading Pledge in recognition of our commitment to providing a high-quality reading education for all children. Our aim over the next year is to achieve Silver.