PHONICS

We acknowledge that the teaching of early reading and phonics is key to forming that love of reading and in developing fluent readers and writers.

We use Twinkl Phonics, which is a DFE validated phonics programme that applies a systematic, synthetic approach to teaching phonics, with clear expectations that are laid out term by term from Nursery to Year 2.  A clear progression ensures children build on their growing knowledge of the alphabetic code, mastering phonics to read and spell as they move through school.  Our rigorous, consistent phonics teaching ensures that children are taught the key skills of acquiring letter sounds, segmenting and blending and are equipped with the knowledge to be able to tackle any unfamiliar words that they read, complete the phonics check at the end of year 1 and to write and spell words confidently.  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.

READING IN KS2

Reading is the foundation of our school curriculum; it provides our children with an essential life skill that they need to unlock learning and succeed in their future life. At St. Patrick’s, we endeavour to provide outstanding reading experiences with exciting and inspiring learning opportunities that promote the importance of this lifelong skill. We intend to deliver a curriculum that enables our children to be ready for each stage of their education. Teaching children to become fluent readers is a huge part of what we do at St. Patrick’s. We have lots of opportunities for reading exciting books and materials. We want children to enjoy reading; reading for pleasure and reading to learn. We aim for all children to reach their full potential in reading. Our children use reading as a tool across all subject areas, it enables pupils to learn new information and skills and prepares pupils for their future.

In Key Stage 2, teaching of Reading works alongside the Writing and Grammar, Punctuation and Spelling that is taking place within the classroom. Within the classroom, teachers use a range of age-related and Lexille count suitable texts to promote progress in verbal and written responses to Reading for all pupils within this Key Stage.  All reading activities are closely linked to year group KPI's/Interim Statements and include opportunities for Reading Across the Curriculum (RAC). Teachers ensure that all contain domains for Reading are covered throughout the academic year. 

Children who are in need of further development of phonics will access Twinkl phonics at the appropriate level, focusing on progress in phonetics to allow them to decode words in appropriately levelled texts. Reading for these children will be completed daily. Those children who have shown mastery of Level 6 phonics, but who still need further support with decoding, will have daily reading sessions using Project X books. From this, children can progress to texts which have an emphasis on language comprehension skills, including use of the Oxford Reading Tree scheme.

Home Learning in Reading is also linked to work being completed by the children in class.  Although no set reading scheme is followed in KS2, teachers have a wide selection of Oxford Reading Scheme books to choose from if they feel this is appropriate for individuals or groups of learners. Children who are receiving support in the development in phonics at Levels 5 and 6 will also be able to access online texts to support the phonetic learning that is taking place in school.