Phonic teaching is a vital part of English. At Reffley Academy, we aim to teach children fluent word reading skills and provide a good foundation in spelling from the earliest opportunity.

Phonics teaching involves showing children the sounds of letters and how these sounds can be blended together to make words. For example, the word 'cat' is a decodable word because the letter sounds can be blended together.

c - a - t = cat

At Reffley Academy we teach Phonics using our own planning that was created following the government 'Letters and Sounds' document. This is organised into six Phonic phases which your child progresses through as their reading ability improves. Phases 1-4 are taught in Nursery and Reception, Phase 5 in Year 1 and Phase 6 in Year 2, however this can fluctuate depending on progress and teachers adapt accordingly.

Practising the sounds correctly is really important!

Phase 2 Sounds

Watch our Reception teacher Mrs Parnham modelling the correct pronunciation.

Phase 3 Sounds

Watch Mrs Parnham modelling the correct pronunciation.

Phase 5 Sounds

Watch Mrs Peters modelling the correct pronunciation for the phase 5 sounds.

Useful Websites

• Oxford Owl  Free online books (ages and colour stages)

• Phonics Play  Online games and activities to print

• Twinkl  Powerpoints, printable games and resources

• Topmarks  Online games

Year 1 phonics screening check

The Year 1 phonics screening check is not a formal test, but a way for teachers to ensure that children are making sufficient progress with their phonics skills to read words and that they are on track to become fluent readers who can enjoy reading for pleasure and for learning.

Year 1 children usually take the phonics screening check in early June.