Here we hope you will find everything you need to know about how the children in Foundation and Key Stage 1 are learning to read.  If we have missed anything at all, please let us know. 

The ability to read is within the reach of every child.  The most direct route to reading for the vast majority of children is through systematically taught, 'synthetic phonics'.  At South Parade we follow a 'phonics first' approach to reading, where children learn to decode (read) and encode (spell) printed words quickly and fluently by blending and segmenting letter sounds. Our teaching and learning follows the progression of 'Letters and Sounds', organised into 6 phases and enhanced for the expectation of the new National  Curriculum 2014.  

We support the children's application of phonics to their reading by using phonics reading books to send home (matched to the phase they are learning in school). We also send Oxford Reading Tree books home for children to enjoy the love of books and stories etc. 

Children who are just beginning to learn the letter/sound correspondences are learning at the same time to tell stories using books which do not have words to begin with.  This is crucial in the development of spoken language and vocabulary. It is a necessary stepping stone towards becoming an accomplished reader and writer.

Phonics Screening Check

Each year, all children in Year 1, in all schools, must take the phonics screening check.  Some children in Year 2 are also required to take the screening check either because they did not take it in Year 1 or because their Year 1 score did not meet the required standard.

The check usually happens in June each year. 

The check will be kept as low key and comfortable as possible for the children and will provide important information about their early reading development. 

We hold a meeting to explain the basics of the screening check before it happens so please look out for the date. At the meeting we will show you examples of the kinds of words your child will need to read and give examples of how you can support your child at home before the screening takes place.

For more information the following link will take you to a website which explains things in more detail:

Supporting your child at home

Below is a link to an excellent video which explains clearly and simply how to support your children in learning to read with phonics.  The website (parent section) has lots of advice in the form of video and animation and also you can access lots of free ebooks to help with reading at home!