Phonics is a stepping stone to becoming a fluent reader. Phonics is a method for teaching reading, which teaches children to reconise letters and groups of letters (graphemes) and their associated sounds (phonemes) before blending these sounds together to form words. 

At St Michael's, we have carefully chosen the government approved 'Little Wandle' phonics programme as this fitted the needs of our cohort. Pupils in Reception will work through Phases 2,3 and 4 of the programme, and pupils in Y1 will complete Phase 5. Staff carefully monitor the progress of pupils phonic knowledege as they move through the programme and deliver 'Keep Up' sessions to children who may be falling behind. 

We also use the Little Wandle 'Catch Up' intervention for pupils in Y2 and above who require more time to develop fluency in reading. 

Year 2 pupils then move onto the 'Little Wandle Spelling' programme to enable them to utilise their phonetical knowldege into their writing.