Little Wandle Letters and Sounds is the phonics scheme that we use across school to teach reading and spelling. Phonic lessons take place daily (usually first thing), children learn to recognise, practise and apply their knowledge of Little Wandle letters and sounds to become effective readers and writers.
Click here for parents information from Little Wandle, here you will find useful videos to help support your child at home.
Learning to read and spell using phonics is about decoding (breaking words down into phonemes) and blending (putting phonemes together to make a word). When we talk about phonemes we are referring to the smallest and purest sound a letter makes e.g. the ‘s’ sound of the word snake.
Because some words can’t be decoded we teach these words as ‘tricky’ words, children will learn to read these ‘whole’ words during their daily phonics lesson.
All children are assessed every 6-8 weeks and gaps are analysed to inform Phonics Keep Up sessions. This allows complete participation in lessons.
Little Wandle is a systematic scheme which rapidly moves through 5 phases beginning in Reception and continuing into Key Stage One. Excellent attendance and punctuality are essential to ensure children access lessons which build on prior learning and promote rapid progress.
Phonics Screening Check Year One
What is the phonics screening check?
The phonics screening check is a statutory assessment designed to assess your child’s ability to use their phonics knowledge to decode and read words accurately. In the assessment, your child will be asked to read 20 real words and 20 pseudo-words (nonsense words). They need to sound out the words and blend to read. It is not designed to assess reading speed or comprehension.
How and when is the phonics screening check administered?
The phonics screening check will be administered throughout the week beginning Monday 8th June 2026. Each child completes the check 1:1 with their class teacher. The check is completed in a quiet space away from the classroom. The children will be told at the start of each section whether they are real words or nonsense words. If needed, short breaks can be given during the check. The children will not be aware they are completing a formal test. We refer to the check as a ‘phonics challenge’. All children will have experienced reading real words and nonsense words similar to those in the check and will have been taught strategies in their phonics lessons at school.
What are we doing in school?
There are daily Little Wandle phonics sessions where children are taught new sounds, revise sounds they know, are taught how to decode and blend real words and nonsense words and read books containing sounds they have been taught. Teachers use their own assessments to ensure each child is taught according to their level. Their phonics lesson may not be taught by their class teacher. Additional interventions or small group sessions have been put in place to support any children who need extra support. Within any aspect of their phonics learning. Additional phonics can be taught throughout the day such as through whole class teaching, games and songs. As you know, children are given home reading books each week which are matched to their reading ability and support their ongoing phonic knowledge.
What happens if your child does not pass the phonics screening check?
The pass mark is usually 32 correct out of 40 but this can change. Parent’s/guardians will receive a letter with their child’s results before the summer holidays. If your child does not pass the phonics screening check they will complete the phonics screening check again at the end of Year 2 after receiving additional support.
If you would like more information about phonic teaching in our school please speak to Miss Whittaker.
Phonics and Early Reading Policy
To help at home:
Your child will start to bring books home as soon as they start in Nursery. Even just 5 minutes a night will support your child to recognise sounds, blend them in words and become more confident and fluent within their progression!
Useful websites for Parents
Please find a list of websites that you may find useful in helping you and your child learn about phonics. Games and fun activity websites are also included.
http://www.phonicsplay.co.uk/ – this website supports knowledge of tricky words as well as real and nonsense words