At Dodford First School, we believe that strong phonics teaching provides children with the foundations they need to become confident, fluent and enthusiastic readers and writers. Phonics works by teaching children how sounds (phonemes) link to letters and letter patterns (graphemes), enabling them to decode unfamiliar words, develop reading fluency and spell with increasing accuracy. Through regular practice and carefully structured teaching, children develop the essential skills they need to become independent, lifelong readers.

Our Phonics Programme – Little Wandle Letters and Sounds Revised

At Dodford First School, we use Little Wandle Letters and Sounds Revised as our systematic synthetic phonics programme. Little Wandle is a Department for Education-validated programme designed to provide a consistent, structured and effective approach to teaching phonics and early reading.

The programme follows a carefully planned progression, ensuring that children build on their existing knowledge as they learn new sounds and spelling patterns. Teaching begins in Reception, where children develop their understanding of the relationship between letters and sounds, and continues into Year 1 and beyond, supporting children as they become increasingly confident readers.

Through daily phonics lessons, children learn to recognise individual sounds, blend sounds together to read words and segment words into their individual sounds to support spelling. They also learn to read common exception words, known as 'tricky words', which contain spelling patterns that children have not yet been taught.

Little Wandle lessons are engaging, interactive and carefully sequenced, providing children with regular opportunities to revisit and practise previously taught sounds alongside new learning. This consistent approach helps children develop secure phonics knowledge and apply their skills confidently when reading and writing.

Reading Practice and Developing Fluency

Alongside daily phonics teaching, children take part in regular reading practice sessions using books that are carefully matched to their phonics knowledge. These fully decodable books allow children to apply the sounds and spelling patterns they have already been taught, helping them experience success and develop confidence as readers.

Little Wandle reading practice sessions focus on three key reading skills:

• Decoding: Using phonics knowledge to blend sounds and read words accurately.

• Prosody: Developing expression, phrasing and an understanding of punctuation when reading aloud.

• Comprehension: Understanding and discussing what has been read, including answering questions about characters, events and information in the text.

By revisiting the same book, children become more familiar with the words and develop greater fluency, allowing them to focus increasingly on understanding and enjoying what they read.

Children are also encouraged to develop a love of reading through high-quality stories, poetry and non-fiction texts. Sharing books, listening to stories and discussing favourite characters help children develop their vocabulary, imagination and enjoyment of reading.

Supporting Every Child

We recognise that children develop their reading skills at different rates. Little Wandle provides regular assessment opportunities to help teachers identify children's achievements and any gaps in their phonics knowledge.

Where children need additional support, targeted teaching and regular opportunities for practice help them revisit and secure the sounds and skills they are learning. Our aim is to ensure that every child receives the support and encouragement they need to make progress and develop confidence in their reading.

How Parents and Carers Can Help at Home

Parents and carers play an important role in supporting children's early reading development. Little Wandle provides a consistent approach to phonics, and using the same strategies at home can help reinforce the learning taking place in school.

You can support your child by practising the sounds they are learning, encouraging them to blend sounds together when reading unfamiliar words and sharing their reading practice book regularly. Reading the same book several times helps children develop accuracy, fluency and confidence.

It is equally important to enjoy books together. Reading bedtime stories, visiting the library, talking about pictures and discussing favourite stories all help children develop a love of reading.

Short, regular practice sessions are often more effective than longer sessions. Celebrate your child's efforts and achievements, and make reading a positive and enjoyable part of your daily routine.

Little Wandle Resources for Parents

The Little Wandle website provides a range of helpful resources for parents and carers, including videos demonstrating how to pronounce phonemes correctly, guidance on blending sounds to read words, and information about the phonics progression followed in school.

Little Wandle Resources for Parents

The Little Wandle website provides a range of helpful resources for parents and carers, including videos demonstrating how to pronounce phonemes correctly, guidance on blending sounds to read words, and information about the phonics progression followed in school.

Little Wandle Parents Resources