Early Reading & phonics

Aims

At Gilberdyke Primary School, all teachers are committed, passionate and driven to ensure that all children become proficient readers by the end of Key Stage One. We are determined that every pupil will learn to read, regardless of their background, needs or abilities and that all pupils, including the weakest readers, will make sufficient progress to meet or exceed age-related expectations. Children at Gilberdyke Primary School will secure automatic decoding skills and progress from ‘learning to read’ to ‘reading to learn’ for purpose and pleasure.

Our Intent:

  • Our priority is that every child is a fluent reader by the end of KS1, regardless of their background, needs or prior attainment.
  • We aim to inspire and challenge our children, through a safe, happy and nurturing learning environment, to achieve excellent standards including all aspects of the National Curriculum objectives for reading.
  • To engage and excite our children in reading and phonics in order to promote a love of reading for every child.
  • To ensure that children with Speech, Language and Communication difficulties are given every opportunity to close the gaps with their peers.
  • To ensure that every child learns to read to a high standard of fluency and understanding, regardless of their background, needs or prior attainment.
  • To equip our children with a wide ‘reading diet’ so that they become well rounded readers
  • To close the ‘word gap’ in order to expand pupils’ vocabulary and deepen their understanding of the texts they are reading.
  • To ensure that any gaps in learning, as a result of COVID, are closed and pupils meet age related expectations in reading and phonics
  • To enable our children to articulate their learning confidently and to remember knowledge and vocabulary in reading and phonics
  • To prepare and inspire our children for further learning in reading in secondary school and beyond.

Our Implementation – Phonics:

  • Phonics is implemented through Little Wandle Letters and Sounds Revised. This programme was chosen due to its rigour and systematic approaches, providing our children with a fast paced, ambitious approach with fully aligned resources and decodable reading books. It also provides a well-sequenced, thorough approach to teaching children to read with fluency.
  • There is a priority on CPD for all staff, including the use of Little Wandle training portal.

Our Impact:

  • Phonics teaching is strong, as a result of high quality coaching and CPD.
  • Children become fluent readers by the end of KS1.
  • Children are passionate about reading. sharing their love of reading with family and friends.
  • Our Reading Lead is a Literacy Specialist for the English Hub, sharing best practice and inspiring schools beyond our immediate locality.
  • Phonics screening check results are in line with or above national

Further information:

‘The children are happy because of the amount of effort teachers put into wellbeing.’

Quotes from parents

‘Gilberdyke is a kind and respectful school with trusted people to talk to. Everyone gets along with each other because of the values about respect, responsibility and resilience.’

Quotes from Year 6 pupils

‘I’ve really valued the amount of respect I’ve been shown. I know that I’m never alone. I can talk to anyone.’

Quotes from Year 6 pupils

‘All staff greet with a smile and are approachable and always there to listen.’

Quotes from parents

‘This school is an environment where everyone has a voice.’

Quotes from pupils

‘The best thing about Gilberdyke is that we accept everyone for who they are – that’s the thing I’ll miss most.’

Quotes from Year 6 pupils

‘I came from another school and I’ve met loads of new friends. This school is about friendship, respect and we always follow the expectations, it works well.’

Quotes from Year 6 pupils

‘Children are given the confidence to grow and learn.’

Quotes from parents

‘This school is a safe, educating, welcoming, accepting and all round brilliant school.’

Quotes from pupils

‘Gilberdyke is about respect and responsibility. I’ve learnt a LOT about that whilst I’ve been here and we need to. We try our hardest in everything and never give up!’

Quotes from Year 6 pupils

‘It is a welcoming school that puts children first.’

Quotes from parents

‘Gilberdyke is a place where everyone feels welcome because we are respectful of each other and friendly.’

Quotes from Year 6 pupils

‘The staff are kind, even when they’re tired, they keep going because we are resilient!’

Quotes from Year 6 pupils

‘I’m going to miss having fun lessons. Gilberdyke has taught me simple manners and respect and how much that is needed and necessary in life.’

Quotes from Year 6 pupils

‘There are loads of things to do here, it’s fun in lessons and loads of other people to make friends with.’

Quotes from Year 6 pupils

‘Responsibility is key to having a good career, this school has taught me that.’

Quotes from Year 6 pupils

‘The values the school has shine through the students.’

Quotes from parents