Reading & phonics

At Arden Forest Infant School, we teach phonics and early reading through the Little Wandle Letters and Sounds Revised programme and are now in our third successful year!

This scheme, validated by the DfE, is taught by fully trained staff across Reception, Year 1 and beyond.

Children in Reception and Year 1 take part in daily phonics lessons, building skills step by step and reviewing weekly to secure fluency. In Year 2 and later, children who need extra help receive catch-up sessions tailored to their needs, including support for pupils with SEND or those new to English.

Alongside phonics, children enjoy reading practice three times a week, focusing on decoding, expression and comprehension. Their books are carefully matched to their phonics stage so they can read with confidence and enjoyment.

To support at home, your child will bring:

• A reading practice book – matched to their stage for independent reading.
• A sharing book – to enjoy together as a family story.

Regular practice and shared reading at home makes a big difference in helping children become fluent, enthusiastic readers.