Impact 

• Children develop secure phonic knowledge and use it to decode unfamiliar words accurately and increasingly automatically. 

• Children read books matched to their phonic knowledge with growing confidence, fluency and expression. 

• Children understand and discuss what they read, drawing on their developing vocabulary and language comprehension. 

• Regular assessment identifies children who need additional practice, enabling timely support and close monitoring of progress. 

• Children develop positive attitudes towards reading and enjoy sharing books with adults and other children. 

• By the end of Key Stage 1, our aim is for children to have completed the phonics programme and established the foundations needed to access a wider range of texts. Children who need further support continue to receive targeted teaching. 

Intent 

At Burleyfields Primary School, we believe that a strong start in reading opens the door to learning. Through systematic phonics teaching, carefully matched books and a rich diet of stories, songs and rhymes, we help children develop the skills and enthusiasm to become confident readers. 

At Burleyfields Primary School, we aim to ensure that every child builds the foundations needed to become a successful reader. We want children to: 

• Develop strong speaking, listening and vocabulary skills from their earliest experiences in school. 

• Learn the relationships between letters and sounds through a systematic, carefully sequenced phonics programme. 

• Blend sounds confidently to read words and segment words to support spelling. 

• Develop accuracy and automaticity in word reading, enabling them to focus increasingly on meaning. 

• Experience the enjoyment of stories, poems, songs and rhymes alongside learning to read independently. 

• Build confidence through early success and develop a lasting love of reading. 

Implementation 

In the Early Years, children experience a language-rich environment through conversation, stories, songs, nursery rhymes and purposeful play. Adults model vocabulary, encourage attentive listening and help children talk about their experiences and ideas. 

Regular storytimes throughout the day and opportunities to revisit familiar books develop children’s understanding of language, story structure and meaning. These experiences build the foundations for formal reading instruction. 

We teach phonics using Little Wandle Letters and Sounds Revised. Daily lessons follow a clear progression, helping children build their knowledge of sounds and their written representations, blend to read words and segment to spell. 

Staff use consistent language, routines and resources so that children can focus on learning. New learning is introduced in manageable steps, with regular opportunities to revisit and practise previously taught knowledge. 

Children read fully decodable books carefully matched to the sounds they have been taught. Reading practice develops accurate decoding, then fluency and expression, alongside understanding of the text. 

Children reread familiar books to build confidence and automaticity. Books shared at home provide further opportunities to practise successfully, while sharing books with adults allows children to enjoy a wider range of language and stories. 

Teachers check children’s understanding regularly and use assessment to identify gaps in phonic knowledge. 

We encourage families to share books and practise reading regularly at home. Guidance on phonics, blending and reading routines helps families support their child consistently and celebrate their progress. 

Inclusion 

Children who need extra practice receive prompt, targeted support, with progress reviewed to ensure teaching remains responsive to their needs. Consistent routines, additional modelling and repeated practice support children, including those with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND). Support continues beyond Key Stage 1 for any child who has not yet secured the phonic knowledge and fluency needed to read confidently.