Phonics is taught daily in Reception and KS1 classes, to support children in their reading and writing.

At Meridian, we follow the Little Wandle Letters and Sounds Revised programme. This is a systematic synthetic phonics programme, validated by the Department for Education. We also teach the letter formation rhymes from the programme to further support our children's ability to correctly form their letters. Phonemes and common exception words that are learnt whilst in the Reception year are practised further when the children enter KS1, where they will continue to learn more phonemes and new words.

In the Summer term, all Year 1 children will have a Statutory Phonics screening check. Those children who do not achieve the assessment threshold whilst in Year 1, will complete the screening process again during the Summer term whilst in Year 2.  

Reading Schemes

We follow the Collins Big Cat Phonics reading scheme which is written for the Little Wandle Letters and Sounds Revised. Reading books are matched to children's increasing knowledge of phonemes and common exception words. Children on the phonics scheme will take home a book on a Friday which they will have already three times at school.  These books will be at the child's challenge level in accordance with their half termly assessment.  The children are taught to decode the words, the art of prosody and comprehension skills.

Guidance for parents