Teaching of Phonics at Luddenham Primary School 

At Luddenham, we believe that every child should have the chance to become happy, fluent readers. Therefore, Phonics is taught through a highly structured programme of daily lessons across reception and KS1 and lessons are planned according to the children's need to help develop their love of reading and writing. 

Children are taught phonics from the very start of their journey at school all the way to Year 2.  As a school we follow the Twinkl Phonics programme to ensure a consistent approach to the teaching of phonics. The scheme has been validated by the Department for Education and follows current best practice on the teaching of phonics and reading. 

Children in reception and KS1 have 5 phonics lessons a week which are delivered to the whole class. An overview of the sounds the children will learn through each of the stages can be found below. We have also produced a glossary to assist parents with a guide to the terminology used when we are teaching phonics. 

In Reception children will start at level 2 as long as they have completed level 1 and are ready. They work through Level 2, 3 and 4 during their time in reception. 

In Year 1, as long as they are ready, they progress to level 5. 

In Year 2, when ready they complete Level 5 and Level 6. 

Overview of Levels

Below is the overviews of each of the levels delivered across Early Years Foundation Stage and Key Stage 1.

For children who do not complete this programme and the recommended milestones, phonics interventions take place to help narrow and ideally close this gap.

Phonics Screening Check

In Year 1 children are expected to take the National Phonics check which usually happens in the summer term. 

The check is designed to allow teachers to assess whether children have made good progress with their phonics learning and if they have reached an expected standard. It also helps to identify gaps in children phonics knowledge and gives the school a picture of where children may be excelling or requiring extra support. They are expected to read a mixture of real words and 'nonsense' words. (Nonsense words can also be referred to as 'pseudo' or 'alien' words.) Children who did not reach the required outcome when in year 1, or have not taken the test before will have the opportunity to retake it in year 2. 

For more information regarding the check see below.