Phonics at College Town

At College Town, we understand that a solid foundation in phonics is essential for all our children to become confident and fluent readers and writers. We are dedicated to providing a systematic and structured approach to phonics teaching, ensuring every child has the tools they need to succeed.

To achieve this, we have implemented Little Wandle Letters and Sounds Revised, a comprehensive systematic synthetic phonics (SSP) programme. This programme builds upon the principles of the original Letters and Sounds, incorporating the latest research and best practices in phonics instruction.

Why Little Wandle?

Little Wandle is designed to:

• Provide a clear and consistent progression: The programme meticulously outlines the teaching of grapheme-phoneme correspondences (GPCs) and tricky words, moving from simple to more complex sounds in a structured, term-by-term and week-by-week sequence.
• Ensure systematic and explicit teaching: Children are taught to blend and segment sounds effectively, enabling them to decode and encode words with confidence.
• Develop strong speaking and listening skills: Recognising the crucial link between oral language and reading, Little Wandle incorporates activities that develop children's auditory discrimination and phonological awareness.
• Promote daily review and revision: Regular revisiting of previously taught GPCs and words reinforces learning and helps children commit phonics knowledge to long-term memory.
• Support all learners: Little Wandle is designed to be inclusive, offering strategies and resources to support children with diverse learning needs.
• Align with Department for Education requirements: Little Wandle is a Department for Education validated SSP programme.
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What Does Little Wandle Include?

Little Wandle Letters and Sounds Revised provides a complete package for phonics instruction, including:

• Detailed lesson plans: Clear and engaging lesson plans that guide teachers through each phase of phonics instruction.
• High-quality resources: A range of resources, including flashcards, sound cards, and decodable reading books, to support learning.
• Assessment tools: Tools to monitor children's progress and identify areas where additional support may be needed.
• Parent resources: Materials and guidance to help parents support their children's phonics learning at home.
• Staff training: Ongoing professional development to ensure teachers are confident and effective in delivering the programme.

By implementing Little Wandle Letters and Sounds Revised, we aim to equip our children with the essential skills they need to become lifelong readers and writers. We believe this structured and engaging approach will empower them to unlock the world of literacy and achieve their full potential.