Phonics

How we teach Phonics at Bamford Academy

At Bamford Academy, we want every child to develop the reading and writing skills they need to become confident, independent learners. Phonics plays an important part in this journey, helping children understand the relationship between letters and sounds so they can read words and develop their early spelling skills.

We use Little Wandle Letters and Sounds, a systematic phonics programme taught through structured daily lessons across the Foundation Stage and Key Stage 1.

A structured approach to learning phonics

Phonics teaching begins in Reception in the second week of the school year, helping children make a strong start with their early reading and writing.

• Reception: Children follow the Little Wandle progression, with daily phonics lessons beginning at 10 minutes and increasing to 30 minutes as soon as possible. Daily oral blending provides additional opportunities to practise bringing sounds together to read words. By the end of Reception, children will have been taught up to the end of Phase 4.

• Year 1: Children continue to develop their phonics knowledge through daily 30-minute lessons, with a review session each Friday. By the end of Year 1, children will have been taught up to the end of Phase 5.

• Year 2: Children begin the year with a five-week block of phonics teaching to revisit and review Phase 5. This is followed by reading sessions using a range of Little Wandle Fluency books to help embed their phonics knowledge and develop reading fluency.

• Years 2–6: Children who need additional support with phonics and reading can access Little Wandle Rapid Catch-up sessions to help them master the phonic code and become more fluent readers.

Supporting every child to succeed

We recognise that children learn at different rates, so we identify gaps in phonics knowledge as early as possible.

In Reception and Year 1, children who need extra support take part in short, focused keep-up sessions. These follow a structured approach, last around 10 minutes and take place at least three times a week. Where children are identified as being at risk of falling behind, additional daily keep-up support is put in place.

Children in Year 2 and above who need further help can access Rapid Catch-up sessions. This targeted support helps children revisit the knowledge they need, build confidence and make progress towards fluent reading.

Reading practice sessions

Children need regular opportunities to put their phonics learning into practice. In Reception, Year 1 and Year 2 — and beyond where appropriate — children take part in small-group reading practice sessions using fully matched decodable books.

These sessions:

• Take place three times a week and last up to 30 minutes.

• Usually involve groups of approximately eight children.

• Follow the structured approach set out in Little Wandle Letters and Sounds Revised.

• Give children opportunities to practise reading using the phonics knowledge they have been taught.

Children then take the same book home the following week, helping them experience success and share their developing reading skills with their family.

How we assess phonics

We regularly check children's phonics knowledge to understand what they have learned and identify where further support may be needed.

Assessment includes:

• Weekly reviews: Reception and Year 1 children revisit the week's learning, alongside planned review weeks to consolidate knowledge and address gaps.

• Half-termly assessments: Children in Reception and Year 1 are assessed using the Little Wandle Letters and Sounds Revised assessment tracker.

• The Year 1 Phonics Screening Check: Children complete the statutory check in the summer term. Those who do not meet the expected standard have another opportunity to take it in Year 2.

• Ongoing assessment: Teachers use their observations and assessments to identify children who need further practice or support.

• Rapid Catch-up assessments: Children in Years 2–6 receiving this additional support are monitored through ongoing teacher assessment and half-termly summative assessments.

Through careful teaching, regular practice and timely support, we aim to help every child build the phonics knowledge and reading confidence they need to succeed.

Find out more: Read our Bamford Academy Little Wandle Phonics and Early Reading Policy 2026–27.