Reading and Phonics
Phonics at Kingsweston
At Kingsweston, we follow the Twinkl Phonics Programme, adjusting it to suit each student’s needs and how they learn to read.
The way we teach phonics involves a step-by-step method (teaching the connection between letters and sounds in a specific order). We also use synthetic phonics, which focuses on teaching the sounds of letters and how to blend them together to form words, and break them apart when reading and writing.
The pace of teaching has been slowed down to give students more time to understand and practice each sound, so they can use it to read and write words effectively.
A big part of our approach is "overlearning." This means students practice a skill many times until it becomes second nature and they can use it easily and fluently.
Assessment
We use the Twinkl Phonics Assessment tool to baseline and track students' phonetic awareness and knowledge across the year in all Phonics levels, including level 1.
Delivery of phonics
The delivery of phonics is tailored to students strengths and needs and the approach is determined by the Curriculum Pathway they are currently working at and the use of summative and formative assessments.
Planned approach for Engagement Pathway:
EYFS/ Key Stage 1 Pupils |
Level 1 delivery |
Key Stage 2 Pupils |
Level 1 delivery Exposure to Level 2 Multi-sensory learning techniques |
Key Stage 3 Pupils |
Pupils begin environmental core learning |
Planned Approach for Explore Pathway:
EYFS/ Key Stage 1 Pupils |
Level 1 delivery Exposure to Level 2 |
Key Stage 2 Pupils |
Exposure to Level 2 Multi-sensory learning techniques |
Key Stage 3 Pupils |
Pupils begin environmental core learning |
Planned approach for Discover Pathway:
EYFS/ Key Stage 1 Pupils |
Level 1 delivery Exposure to Level 2 |
Key Stage 2 Pupils |
Level 2 – 5 delivery with intervention work |
Key Stage 3 Pupils |
Intervention work to backward chain gaps of learning |
PLANNED APPROACH FOR ENDEAVOUR PATHWAY
EYFS/Key Stage 1 Pupils |
Level 2-6 delivery |
Key Stage 2 Pupils |
Intervention work and Spelling, Punctuation, and Grammar(SPaG) lessons |
Key Stage 3 Pupils |
Free reading |