At Rood End Primary, we know that learning to read is a big step for every child. It’s the key to helping them grow confident and curious learners. With lots of children speaking English as an additional language here, phonics is a great way to build strong reading and speaking skills from the start.

We use the Little Wandle Letters and Sounds programme, which helps children learn sounds and how to blend them into words. It’s a step-by-step approach that makes sure every child can keep up and feel proud of their progress.

• In Nursery, children start with Little Wandle Foundations, focusing on sounds, nursery rhymes, and listening games to get ready for reading.
• From Reception, children have daily phonics lessons where they learn to recognise sounds, blend words, and begin reading books that match what they’ve learned.
• Our lessons are fun and hands-on, helping children enjoy learning to read.

We believe learning works best when school and home work together. You can support your child by:

• Practising the sounds and words they learn in school.
• Reading together and pointing out the sounds in words.
• Singing nursery rhymes and playing listening games to build language skills.

Working together makes a big difference and helps your child feel confident and supported.

• Many children start school with different experiences, so phonics helps everyone get on the same page.
• With lots of children speaking other languages, phonics supports them with reading and speaking English.
• Daily phonics lessons build fluency so children can enjoy reading and access all subjects with confidence.
• We’re proud of our phonics screening check results, showing how well our children are doing.

Phonics isn’t just about sounds—it’s about helping children believe in themselves. We want every child to feel hopeful and ambitious, ready to try new things and keep going even when it’s tricky. We make sure every child, no matter where they come from or how they learn, gets the support they need. We also work closely with families, so everyone is part of the journey.

We’d love for parents and carers to get involved with phonics! If you want ideas or resources to help your child at home, just get in touch with your child’s class teacher. We’re here to help every step of the way.

Phonics at Rood End is all about giving children the best start with reading. Through Little Wandle, daily lessons, and working with families, we help children build strong skills and confidence.

We’re excited to support your child on their reading adventure here at Rood End Primary.