Your curriculum leader is Mrs Dawson
At Pirehill, we use Little Wandle Letters and Sounds revised to teach phonics and early reading skills. Little Wandle is a structured, systematic phonics programme approved by the Department for Education, designed to support children’s early reading development effectively.
At Pirehill First School, we create an engaging, language-rich environment where children are encouraged to develop a love for books and are motivated to read independently from a young age. We believe that students should be taught to read effectively for various purposes, build strong phonics skills, and understand the rules that govern language structure. Through Little Wandle our pupils learn to:
Distinguish between different sounds in words
Learn the correspondence between graphemes (letters) and phonemes (letter sounds)
Read words by blending their individual sounds
Recognize and read 'tricky words' by sight
Phonics in Reception
Children begin learning the grapheme phoneme correspondences (GPCs) of Phase 2 sounds in the first two weeks of Reception in the Autumn term. Children are then taught to blend these sounds to read words. High frequency words (tricky words) are also explicitly taught during phonics lessons. Phonics lessons follow the teaching sequence of Little Wandle Letters and Sounds Revised and children are assessed at the end of each half term. Most children can read and blend Phase 3 sounds by the end of Reception.
Phonics in Year 1 & 2
Children continue to follow the Little Wandle teaching sequence into Key Stage 1, where they learn alternative sounds for graphemes and continue to practise blending to read and segmenting to spell. In the summer term of Year 1, the children sit the Phonics Screening Check. This is a statutory national check to assess the children's knowledge of GPCs and blending.
Phonics throughout Pirehill
The teaching and assessment of phonics is consistent throughout the whole school; lessons and reading sessions all follow the Little Wandle progression and teaching approaches. We believe phonic decoding skills must be practised until children become automatic and fluent reading is established. Therefore, children in Years 3 to 6 may receive phonics tuition where such support is appropriate.
Reading Practice Sessions
The children have regular opportunities to apply the phonics they have learned to reading fully decodable books. The phonic progression in these books matches the progression of Little Wandle Letters and Sounds Revised. At Hob Hill, these reading practice sessions take place at least three times a week. Each reading practice session has a clear focus, so that the demands of the session do not overload the children’s working memory. Session are designed to focus on three key reading skills:
• decoding
• prosody – reading with meaning, stress and intonation
• comprehension – understanding the text
Reading at home:
Your involvement in your child’s early reading journey is vital. Below, you will find all the resources and support you need to ensure your child gets the best possible start at home.
Reading at home:
At Pirehill, we believe that reading is an essential skill that empowers children to explore new ideas and develop a lifelong love of learning. We work closely with families to support every child’s reading journey, ensuring that they become confident, enthusiastic readers.
Why Reading at Home Matters
Reading at home plays a crucial role in reinforcing the skills children are developing in school. Regular practice improves fluency, comprehension, and vocabulary, and it helps foster a deep love for stories and books. Your involvement is key to your child’s progress.
How We Support Your Child’s Reading Journey
In Reception and Year 1, pupils receive a carefully matched decodable reading book from the Collins Big Cat Phonics range. These books are chosen based on each child’s phonics ability, ensuring they have the right level of challenge and support. As part of their weekly routine, pupils also have the opportunity to read to an adult at school, which further boosts their confidence and fluency.
To help your child make the most of their reading journey, we encourage parents to:
Read with your child regularly, aiming for at least 10–15 minutes a day.
Support phonics practice using the decodable books they bring home.
Encourage discussions about the stories they read, focusing on comprehension and enjoyment.
Reading Together, Growing Together
We believe that the partnership between school and home is key to your child’s success. By reading together, we help your child build not only their reading skills but also a love of books. If you have any questions or need advice on how to support your child’s reading at home, please feel free to reach out to us.