Phonics

At Acklam Whin Primary, we teach phonics using a linguistic phonics programme called Sounds-Write. Sounds-Write is a highly structured, multi-sensory approach to teaching children to read and spell. Its structure and simplicity makes it a programme that is accessible to all learners, ensuring progress for all in reading and spelling.

The three skills that children are taught to master throughout all units of the programme are:

1. Blending

2. Segmenting

3. Phoneme manipulation

The programme also ensures that children are taught four main concepts:

1. Letters are symbols that represent sounds

2. Sounds can be spelled using 1, 2, 3 or 4 letters

3. The same sound can be spelled in different ways

4. The same spelling can represent different sounds.

Pupils begin Sounds-Write on entry into Reception where they will be taught the initial code. Once the initial code has been mastered, children continue to practise all three key skills whilst learning the extended code.

Oxford Reading Tree

When the children enter Year 2, they begin reading books from ‘Oxford Reading Tree’. Each child is assessed and assigned an ‘Oxford Reading Tree Level’. They can then select any book from within that level to enjoy both in school and at home. The children continue reading texts from ‘Oxford Reading Tree’ until they leave primary school at the end of Year 6.