Please see below attachment for Year 1 phonics screening information. 

Phonics Intent – Why Our Phonics Curriculum Shines

At Green Park Community Primary School, we believe that early phonics teaching is the key to unlocking a lifelong love of reading and writing. We know that daily, systematic phonics lessons not only primes children’s minds but also leads to an earlier start in reading and spelling. Our progressive, systematic synthetic phonics programme is designed to build strong phonemic awareness, giving every child the essential tools to become a successful reader.

Phonics is our way of teaching children to "crack the code" of written language. By learning the sounds of individual letters and how these sounds work together, children can decode words as they read and know which letters to choose when they write. Within our programme, children learn to hear and discriminate sounds in words, blend and segment these sounds fluently for both reading and spelling, and appreciate the many nuances of our written code.

Our carefully designed curriculum is built on progressive expectations and clear stages. Supported by resources from a DfE-approved phonics provider (Little Wandle), every teaching material and resource has been thoughtfully selected and sequenced to match our high learning expectations, effective teaching practices, and curriculum content. With clear time scales, defined end points, and robust intervention and assessment practices, our quality-first teaching ensures every child makes steady progress.

Phonics Implementation – Bringing Learning to Life

Our Phonics curriculum is designed to develop our children into independent, confident readers who enjoy fluently reading with both pleasure and deep understanding. At Green Park, we follow a carefully structured, progressive programme based on the Little Wandle scheme that evolves with our children as they grow.

In our Early Years, phonics is a central part of our reading curriculum. In Reception, children work mainly on Phases 1-4, learning to listen for phonemes in various positions, recognise and write individual graphemes, and begin blending and segmenting sounds to read and spell. Phonics is taught daily using our engaging model: revisit, teach, practice, and apply. Clear end points guide progress, while effective assessment and targeted intervention ensure that every child advances confidently. Reading materials and book expectations are closely aligned with the phonics phases being taught.

As children move into Key Stage 1, phonics continues to be integral. In Year 1, daily lessons help consolidate skills, with children gradually deepening their understanding of alternative phonemes in structured stages. Ongoing assessments and timely interventions support every pupil, culminating in the statutory phonics screening check during the Summer Term.

In Year 2, our teaching extends to enhance phonics skills further. Children learn to read words with alternative pronunciations, and explore suffixes, prefixes, contractions, and homophones, which enriches their independent spelling. Each classroom is well-resourced with phonically decodable texts that match individual abilities, and our curriculum aligns seamlessly with Year 2 and Year 3 Spelling expectations. For those who require extra support, targeted small group interventions are provided, with children who do not pass the Year 1 Phonics Screening Check receiving additional support and a resit at the end of Year 2.

In Key Stage 2, we continue to offer additional intervention and support for children working below age-related expectations. Through careful assessment and observation, teachers identify those needing further help, and we utilise the Little Wandle intervention schemes—comprehensive, scripted programmes designed specifically for KS2—to close any gaps. In some cases, a Support Plan is introduced to ensure every child receives the tailored assistance they need.

Phonics Pedagogy – How We Deliver Our Teaching

At Green Park, our phonics lessons follow the Little Wandle approach—a structured yet highly engaging method that brings learning to life. A typical lesson involves:

Revisit: We start by reviewing previously learned sounds to build a strong foundation.

Teach: New sounds and skills are introduced through interactive, hands-on activities that encourage active participation.

Practice: Children then engage in guided practice, either individually or in small groups, applying their new skills with fun and supportive activities.

Apply: Finally, they apply what they’ve learned in meaningful contexts—whether through reading decodable texts or engaging in writing exercises—to consolidate their understanding.

This approach is supported by clear learning targets, regular assessments, and immediate, constructive feedback, ensuring that our phonics teaching is both effective and inspiring.

Phonics Impact – Measuring Success

We know our phonics programme is making a real difference at Green Park. By the end of each phonics phase, children are expected to know, apply, and understand the skills and techniques outlined in our phonics plan. We continuously assess children’s phonics skills alongside their overall reading progress using our robust internal tracking system. The impact of our curriculum is evident through:

Reflections on overall standards achieved against planned outcomes and the results of the phonics screening checks in Years 1 and 2.

Celebrations of individual progress, supported by self, peer, and teacher feedback that highlights growth and skill development.

Regular pupil discussions (Pupil Voice) where children share their learning experiences, evaluate their achievements, and set new goals.

Termly tracking of standards across the curriculum, ensuring every child is progressing steadily and confidently.

At Green Park Community Primary School, we’re immensely proud of our phonics programme. By providing a strong foundation in reading and writing through our structured and engaging approach, we are setting our children on a path to lifelong success and a deep, enduring love of learning.