{"id":489,"date":"2026-03-29T20:34:25","date_gmt":"2026-03-29T19:34:25","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/pioneerfederation.co.uk\/stonegate\/?page_id=489"},"modified":"2026-03-29T20:39:06","modified_gmt":"2026-03-29T19:39:06","slug":"reading-phonics","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.stonegate.e-sussex.sch.uk\/index.php\/curriculum\/reading-phonics\/","title":{"rendered":"Reading & Phonics"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t
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Phonics at Stonegate CE Primary<\/h3>

At Stonegate, we believe that reading is the key to success and underpins children’s access to the curriculum; it clearly impacts on their achievement. To be able to read, children need to be taught an efficient strategy to decode words. That strategy is phonics. Phonic decoding skills must be practised until children become automatic and fluent reading is established.<\/p><\/div>

Little Wandle<\/h3>

Little Wandle Letters and Sounds Revised is a complete systematic synthetic phonics programme (SSP) and it is the programme that we adopt at Stonegate. We prioritise the teaching of phonics; we teach phonics daily in Year R and Year 1. It is vitally important that children review and revisit Grapheme Phoneme Correspondences (GPCs) and words, daily, weekly and across terms and years, in order to move this knowledge into the children’s long term memory. Our consistent approach to phonics ensures that children are given the best possible foundation for reading, writing and language skills.<\/p>

\u00a0<\/p><\/div>

Learning to Read<\/h3>

Children need to learn to read as quickly and reasonably as possible, so that they can move from learning to read, to reading to learn, giving them access to the treasure house of reading. Our expectations of progression are aspirational yet achievable; children who are not keeping up with their peers are given additional practice immediately through keep-up sessions.<\/p>

\u00a0<\/p><\/div>

Ongoing Assessment<\/h3>

Children enjoy a range of multi-sensory resources to support their phonics learning. On-going assessment of children’s progress takes place and the books children read in school and take home to read are fully decodable and matched to children’s secure phonics knowledge. As well as fully decodable books, children take home a non-decodable book for sharing that can be either read to or with them. These books play an essential role in developing a love of reading; an important distinction is that these books are being shared with the children, but they are using fully phonically decodable books to practise their independent reading.<\/p>

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Supporting your child.<\/h3>

Please see links below for our Little Wandle Letters and Sounds programme progression for Reception and Year One.<\/p>

\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\tGlossary of Little Wandle Letters and Sounds Terminology\n\t\t\t\t\tGlossary of Little Wandle Letters and Sounds Terminology<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\tLearning to read at Stonegate CE Primary School\n\t\t\t\t\tLearning to read at Stonegate CE Primary School<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\tLittle Wandle Letters and Sounds - Programme progression\n\t\t\t\t\tLittle Wandle Letters and Sounds – Programme progression<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\tPhonics Information PowerPoint\n\t\t\t\t\tPhonics Information PowerPoint<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\tSupporting your child with reading\n\t\t\t\t\tSupporting your child with reading<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div><\/div>

Characteristics of a Reader<\/span><\/h3>
  • Excellent phonic knowledge and skills.<\/li>
  • Fluency and accuracy in reading across a wide range of contexts throughout the curriculum.<\/li>
  • Knowledge of an extensive and rich vocabulary.<\/li>
  • An excellent comprehension of texts.<\/li>
  • The motivation to read for both study and for pleasure.<\/li>
  • Extensive knowledge through having read a rich and varied range of texts.<\/li><\/ul><\/div>

    Implementation<\/span><\/h3>

    Our pupils should be able to organise their knowledge, skills and understanding around the following learning hooks:<\/p>

    • To understand texts<\/p><\/li>

    • To read words accurately<\/p><\/li><\/ul>

      These key concepts or as we like to explain them to children \u2013 learning hooks, underpin learning in each milestone. This enables pupils to reinforce and build upon prior learning, make connections and develop subject specific language.\u00a0<\/p><\/div>

      Vertical accumulation of knowledge and skills from Years 1 to 6<\/span><\/h3>

      Threshold Concept<\/p>

      Key Skills<\/strong><\/p><\/td>

      Milestone 1<\/strong><\/p>

      Years 1 and 2<\/strong><\/p><\/td>

      Milestone 2<\/strong><\/p>

      Years 3 and 4<\/strong><\/p><\/td>

      Milestone 3<\/strong><\/p>

      Years 5 and 6<\/strong><\/p><\/td><\/tr>

      To read words accurately<\/strong><\/p><\/td>

      \u2022 Apply phonic knowledge and skills as the route to decode words.<\/p>

      \u2022 Respond speedily with the correct sound to graphemes (letters or groups of letters) for all 40+ phonemes, including, where applicable, alternative sounds for graphemes.<\/p>

      \u2022 Read accurately by blending sounds in unfamiliar words containing GPCs that have been taught.<\/p>

      \u2022 Read common exception words, noting unusual correspondences between spelling and sound and where these occur in the word.<\/p>

      \u2022 Read words containing taught GPCs and \u2013s, \u2013es, \u2013ing, \u2013ed, \u2013er and \u2013est endings.<\/p>

      \u2022 Read other words of more than one syllable that contain taught GPCs.<\/p>

      \u2022 Read words with contractions (for example, I\u2019m, I\u2019ll, we\u2019ll) and understand that the apostrophe represents the omitted letter(s).<\/p>

      \u2022 Read aloud accurately books that are consistent with phonic knowledge and that do not require other strategies to work out words.<\/p>

      \u2022 Re-read these books to build up fluency and confidence in word reading.<\/p>

      \u2022 Read accurately by blending the sounds in words that contain the graphemes taught so far, especially recognising alternative sounds for graphemes.<\/p>

      \u2022 Read accurately words of two or more syllables that contain the same graphemes as above.<\/p>

      \u2022 Read words containing common suffixes.<\/p>

      \u2022 Read most words quickly and accurately, without overt sounding and blending, when they have been frequently encountered.<\/p>

      \u2022 Read aloud books closely matched to their improving phonic knowledge, sounding out unfamiliar words accurately, automatically and without undue hesitation.<\/p>

      \u2022 Re-read books to build up fluency and confidence in word reading represents the omitted letter(s).<\/p>

      \u2022 Read aloud accurately books that are consistent with phonic knowledge and\u00a0that do not require other strategies to work out words.<\/p>

      \u2022 Re-read these books to build up fluency and confidence in word reading.<\/p>

      \u2022 Read accurately by blending the sounds in words that contain the graphemes\u00a0taught so far, especially recognising alternative sounds for graphemes.<\/p>

      \u2022 Read accurately words of two or more syllables that contain the same\u00a0graphemes as above.<\/p>

      \u2022 Read words containing common suffixes.<\/p>

      \u2022 Read most words quickly and accurately, without overt sounding and blending,\u00a0when they have been frequently encountered.<\/p>

      \u2022 Read aloud books closely matched to their improving phonic knowledge,\u00a0sounding out unfamiliar words accurately, automatically and without undue\u00a0hesitation.<\/p>

      \u2022 Re-read books to build up fluency and confidence in word reading.<\/p>

      \u00a0<\/p><\/td>

      \u2022 Apply a growing knowledge of root words, prefixes and suffixes (etymology and morphology).<\/p>

      \u2022 Read further exception words, noting the spellings.<\/p><\/td>

      \u2022 Apply knowledge of root words, prefixes and suffixes.<\/p>

      \u2022 Read age-appropriate books with confidence and fluency (including whole novels).<\/p>

      (Note: this should be through normal reading rather than direct teaching.)<\/p><\/td><\/tr>

      To understand texts\u00a0<\/strong><\/p><\/td>

      \u2022 Discuss events.<\/p>

      \u2022 Predict events.<\/p>

      \u2022 Link reading to own experiences and other books.<\/p>

      \u2022 Join in with stories or poems.<\/p>

      \u2022 Check that reading makes sense and self-correct.<\/p>

      \u2022 Infer what characters are like from actions.<\/p>

      \u2022 Ask and answer questions about texts.<\/p>

      \u2022 Discuss favourite words and phrases.<\/p>

      \u2022 Listen to and discuss a wide range of texts.<\/p>

      \u2022 Recognise and join in with (including role-play) recurring language.<\/p>

      \u2022 Explain and discuss understanding of texts.<\/p>

      \u2022 Discuss the significance of the title and events.<\/p>

      \u2022 Make inferences on the basis of what is being said and done.<\/p><\/td>

      \u2022 Draw inferences from reading.<\/p>

      \u2022 Predict from details stated and implied.<\/p>

      \u2022 Recall and summarise main ideas.<\/p>

      \u2022 Discuss words and phrases that capture the imagination.<\/p>

      \u2022 Retrieve and record information from non-fiction, using titles, headings, sub-headings and indexes.<\/p>

      \u2022 Prepare poems and plays to read aloud with expression, volume, tone and intonation.<\/p>

      \u2022 Identify recurring themes and elements of different stories (e.g. good triumphing over evil).<\/p>

      \u2022 Recognise some different forms of poetry.<\/p>

      \u2022 Explain and discuss understanding of reading, maintaining focus on the topic.<\/p>

      \u2022 Draw inferences such as inferring characters\u2019 feelings, thoughts and motives from their actions, and justifying inferences with evidence.<\/p>

      \u2022 Predict what might happen from details stated and implied.<\/p>

      \u2022 Identify main ideas drawn from more than one paragraph and summarise these.<\/p>

      \u2022 Identify how language, structure and presentation contribute to meaning.<\/p>

      \u2022 Ask questions to improve understanding of a text.<\/p><\/td>

      \u2022 Recommend books to peers, giving reasons for choices.<\/p>

      \u2022 Identify and discuss themes and conventions in and across a wide range of writing.<\/p>

      \u2022 Make comparisons within and across books.<\/p>

      \u2022 Learn a wide range of poetry by heart.<\/p>

      \u2022 Prepare poems and plays to read aloud and to perform, showing understanding through intonation, tone and volume so that the meaning is clear to an audience.<\/p>

      \u2022 Check that the book makes sense, discussing understanding and exploring the meaning of words in context.<\/p>

      \u2022 Ask questions to improve understanding.<\/p>

      \u2022 Draw inferences such as inferring characters\u2019 feelings, thoughts and motives from their actions, and justifying inferences with evidence.<\/p>

      \u2022 Predict what might happen from details stated and implied.<\/p>

      \u2022 Summarise the main ideas drawn from more than one paragraph, identifying key details that support the main ideas.<\/p>

      \u2022 Identify how language, structure and presentation contribute to meaning.<\/p>

      \u2022 Discuss and evaluate how authors use language, including figurative language, considering the impact on the reader.<\/p>

      \u2022 Retrieve and record information from non-fiction.<\/p>

      \u2022 Participate in discussion about books, taking turns and listening and responding to what others say.<\/p>

      \u2022 Distinguish between statements of fact and opinion.<\/p>

      \u2022 Provide reasoned justifications for views.<\/p><\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/div><\/div><\/div>

      Impact<\/span><\/h3>

      Assessment<\/strong><\/p>

      Through the explicit teaching of the Reading skills, both the teachers and the pupils assess their learning continuously throughout the lesson. External tests are used to moderate the outcomes made from teacher assessment.<\/p>

      Our assessment systems enable teachers to make informed judgements about the depth of their learning and the progress they have made over time.\u00a0<\/p>

      Reading catch up programmes will be used to support those children who are not reading at age -related – expectation.\u00a0<\/p><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

      Phonics at Stonegate CE Primary At Stonegate, we believe that reading is the key to success and underpins children’s access to the curriculum; it clearly impacts on their achievement. To be able to read, children need to be taught an efficient strategy to decode words. That strategy is phonics. Phonic decoding skills must be practised […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"parent":467,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-489","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.stonegate.e-sussex.sch.uk\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/489","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.stonegate.e-sussex.sch.uk\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.stonegate.e-sussex.sch.uk\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.stonegate.e-sussex.sch.uk\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.stonegate.e-sussex.sch.uk\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=489"}],"version-history":[{"count":7,"href":"https:\/\/www.stonegate.e-sussex.sch.uk\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/489\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":497,"href":"https:\/\/www.stonegate.e-sussex.sch.uk\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/489\/revisions\/497"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.stonegate.e-sussex.sch.uk\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/467"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.stonegate.e-sussex.sch.uk\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=489"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}