We are really excited to be starting our Little Wandle revised Letters and Sounds journey to ensure all children become readers by the end of Key Stage 1. This systematic, synthetic phonics programme is a government validated scheme which is rigorous, consistent and ambitious. Below is some information which we hope you will find useful. If you have any queries or questions please do not hesitate to contact me.

Mrs Cottee, Phonics and Early Reading Lead

Foundations for Phonics (previously called Phase 1) is absolutely essential to ensure children are well prepared to begin grapheme–phoneme correspondence and blending at the start of Reception. The provision includes a balance of child-led and adult-led experiences. At Holly Hill the nursery team ensure that high quality, daily sessions take place which are fun and interactive to engage our youngest children in school. 

The most important aspects of Foundations for Phonics which are developed in the nursery are:

• sharing high-quality stories and poems with children

• learning a range of nursery rhymes and action rhymes

• activities that develop focused listening and attention, including oral blending

•ensuring children are immersed in high-quality language.

From F2 the children now read in Reading Groups of up to six children three times a week. Each of these sessions is carefully planned and led by a trained Little Wandle reading expert. The sessions follow the following format;

Session 1 - focuses on the children DECODING, using their phonic knowledge to read words.

Session 2 - focuses on PROSODY, reading with stress, meaning and intonation.

Session 2 - focuses on COMPREHENSION, understanding the text.

The children take the same book home all week to read with the parent / carer to develop the above skills.