Phonics at Rockbeare
Intent
At Rockbeare, we believe that learning to read is the key to unlocking the whole curriculum. We teach phonics using the Sounds-Write programme to ensure all children develop strong early reading and spelling skills.
Phonics is taught daily in small groups by trained adults. Lessons are carefully structured to help children build secure knowledge of sounds and apply this confidently in reading and writing.
Implementation
Sounds-Write follows a clear, structured sequence which ensures children are taught sounds in a logical order. This supports children to make steady progress and prevents gaps in learning.
Reading is prioritised across the school. The reading books children take home are closely matched to the sounds they are learning in phonics lessons, giving them early success and building confidence.
Reading Books
We use the official Sounds-Write reading books alongside our phonics programme. These fully decodable books allow children to practise the sounds they know, helping them to read independently and with enjoyment.
We also supplement these with Dandelion Readers, which follow the same phonics structure and provide additional reading opportunities.
Supporting Reading at Home
Reading at home every day has a huge impact on your child’s progress. You can support your child by:
Using letter sounds, not letter names
Avoiding extra sounds (e.g. saying “buh” instead of “b”)
Encouraging your child to “say the sounds and read the word”
Attending our Sounds-Write Parent Workshops
Visiting the Sounds-Write website for guidance and resources
Working together helps children feel confident and successful.
Assessment and Support
Teachers continuously assess children during phonics lessons and adapt teaching to meet individual needs. This ensures all children are supported and challenged appropriately.
Children who need extra help receive additional practice and support so they can keep up with the pace of learning.
SEND and Children with Additional Needs
At Rockbeare, we recognise that children develop their phonics knowledge at different rates. Rather than placing children into fixed ability groups, teachers use their strong understanding of each child’s phonics knowledge and skills to adapt teaching appropriately.
Teachers carefully consider children’s understanding of sounds, as well as their ability to blend, segment, and manipulate phonemes. This allows lessons to be adjusted so that all children are supported and challenged at the right level.
Impact
As a result of our high-quality phonics teaching using the Sounds-Write programme, children at Rockbeare develop a secure knowledge of phonics and become confident, fluent readers. Children make good progress from their starting points and are well prepared for the next stage of learning.
They are able to apply their phonics skills accurately when reading and spelling, recognise spelling alternatives, and use these consistently. Most importantly, children develop confidence, independence, and a love of reading that supports their learning across the wider curriculum.