Phonics

Phonics and Our School Vision

Phonics plays an important role in supporting our vision of living life in all its fullness. Learning to read opens doors to knowledge, imagination and confidence. Through phonics, children are empowered to access the wider curriculum, develop a love of reading and grow in independence, enabling them to flourish academically, socially and spiritually.

Our Phonics Curriculum

At St John’s C.E. Primary Academy, phonics is a high priority and forms the foundation of early reading and writing. We use the Read Write Inc. (RWI) Systematic Synthetic Phonics programme to teach children to read accurately, fluently and with confidence. The programme is carefully structured and cumulative, ensuring that sounds are taught in a clear sequence and revisited regularly so that learning is embedded.

Phonics teaching begins in the Early Years and continues through Key Stage 1, with children moving through the programme at a pace that reflects their secure understanding. Daily phonics lessons are consistent, highly focused and engaging, enabling children to practise blending, segmenting and applying their phonics knowledge in reading and writing.

High-Quality Teaching and Consistency

Teaching is consistent across the school and follows the agreed RWI structure, routines and language. Staff have strong subject knowledge and deliver lessons with pace, clarity and high expectations. Children are grouped appropriately according to their phonics knowledge so that teaching is closely matched to their needs and learning is well targeted.

Phonics is regularly applied across the curriculum, particularly in reading and writing sessions, helping children to make meaningful connections and develop confidence as independent readers and writers.

Supporting All Learners

We are committed to ensuring that all children keep up with their phonics learning. Where children are identified as needing additional support, targeted intervention is put in place promptly. These interventions are closely aligned to daily phonics teaching and are reviewed regularly to ensure they are effective. As a result, children who find phonics more challenging are well supported to close gaps and make strong progress.

Assessment and Monitoring

Assessment is an integral part of our phonics provision. Children are assessed regularly using RWI assessment materials to ensure they are placed in the correct group and are making expected progress. Assessment information is used by teachers and leaders to adapt teaching, plan interventions and ensure that no child is left behind.

Staff Development and Expertise

We are committed to supporting staff to flourish as confident and skilled phonics practitioners. High-quality professional development is provided through ongoing RWI training, coaching and support within school, as well as through collaboration within our trust. This ensures that staff remain confident, consistent and up to date with best practice in phonics and early reading.

Strong Foundations for Reading

Our systematic and consistent approach to phonics ensures that children develop strong early reading skills and are well prepared to become fluent, enthusiastic readers. Through high-quality teaching, targeted support and strong leadership, phonics at St John’s C.E. Primary Academy provides children with the essential skills they need to succeed throughout their education and beyond.