Phonics
Giving Every Child the Keys to Reading
Learning to read begins with understanding the relationship between sounds and letters.
At Grafton Primary School, phonics gives children the foundations they need to become confident, fluent readers and writers. We want every child to experience the excitement that comes when they realise they can work out a word for themselves — and then discover where reading can take them.
From Reception onwards, we follow Read Write Inc. (RWI), a systematic synthetic phonics programme that gives children a carefully structured route into reading and spelling.
Our approach is systematic and cumulative. Children learn new sounds and the ways they are represented in words, practise blending sounds to read words, and gradually build the knowledge and confidence they need to read and write independently.
Learning Step by Step
Phonics learning builds progressively.
Children begin by developing their understanding of sounds and the letters that represent them. They learn to recognise and say sounds, blend them together to read words and apply their growing knowledge when reading and writing.
As their phonics knowledge develops, so does the complexity of the words they can decode. Children revisit and practise previously taught sounds while introducing new learning, helping them to build secure foundations rather than simply moving on before they are ready.
This careful progression means that children are continually strengthening what they already know while extending what they can do.
Reading What We Know
An important part of learning to read is having the opportunity to practise successfully.
Children read books that are closely matched to their developing phonics knowledge. This means they can use the sounds and strategies they have been taught to decode words for themselves, building fluency, confidence and a growing enjoyment of reading.
We want children to experience that wonderful moment when reading begins to feel less like something they are being taught and more like something they can do.
Phonics Beyond the Lesson
Phonics is not simply an English lesson. It is something children practise and apply throughout their reading and writing.
In school, teachers provide regular opportunities to revisit sounds, blend and decode words, practise spelling and apply phonics knowledge in meaningful contexts.
From Year 2 onwards, children also follow the Read Write Inc. spelling programme. This builds systematically on their earlier phonics learning, developing both decoding (reading words) and encoding (using sounds and spelling patterns to write words).
Children who have not yet met the expected standard in the Year 1 phonics screening check receive continued support, with the opportunity to retake the screening in Year 2.
Supporting Your Child at Home
Parents and carers play an important part in helping children become confident readers.
We make it as easy as possible for families to understand what children are learning and how they can practise together at home.
Children are given a class login to Oxford Owl, where they can access Read Write Inc. reading and spelling activities recommended by their teachers.
In EYFS and Year 1, we also provide parents with videos through QR codes from the Ruth Miskin Portal. These give families the opportunity to watch, learn and practise the sounds and strategies alongside their child.
You don't need to be a phonics expert.
A few minutes of positive, regular practice can make a real difference. Listen to your child, encourage them to have a go and celebrate their successes.
Oxford Owl – Phonics for Parents
Explore phonics support on Oxford Owl
Oxford Owl – Grafton's Online Reading & Spelling Activities
Every Child Included
We know that children learn to read at different rates.
Our systematic approach means that teachers can identify where children need additional support and provide it as early as possible. Children are given opportunities to practise and revisit important knowledge, while teaching is adapted to help them move forward from their individual starting points.
Our aim is never simply to get children through a phonics programme.
It is to give every child the confidence and skills to unlock reading for themselves.
By the time children move beyond their phonics journey, we want them to have more than a collection of sounds and spelling patterns.
- We want them to know that they can read.
- That they can work out unfamiliar words.
- That they can persevere when something is difficult.
- And, most importantly, that the ability to read opens a world of stories, knowledge, imagination and possibility.
Phonics gives children the keys. Reading opens the door.
Documents
Read Write Inc - Parent Booklet