Phonics and Reading
English has a pre-eminent place in education and society. A high-quality education in English will teach pupils to speak and write fluently so that they can communicate their ideas and emotions to others, and through their reading and listening, others can communicate with them. Through reading in particular, pupils have a chance to develop culturally, emotionally, intellectually, socially and spiritually. Literature, especially, plays a key role in such development. Reading also enables pupils both to acquire knowledge and to build on what they already know. All the skills of language are essential to participating fully as a member of society; pupils who do not learn to speak, read and write fluently and confidently are effectively disenfranchised.
Primary National Curriculum England
Phonics at Causeway Green Primary School
We have chosen Little Wandle Letters and Sounds Revised as the Systematic Synthetic Phonics (SSP) programme used at Causeway Green Primary School to teach early reading and writing. This is a trusted programme that helps our youngest children learn how to read. Our central goal is to foster a love for reading in our children. We believe that nothing matters more than helping our children become confident readers. By placing a strong emphasis on reading, we aim to ensure that our children are equipped with the necessary skills to succeed in the future.
Early Readers receive a book that matches their reading age and stage, which they have read in guided reading sessions during the week. Please spend at least 5 minutes every day, rather than one or two longer reading sessions, to help your child develop their reading skills. Research shows that reading little and often has the biggest impact.
As your child becomes an accomplished reader we encourage them to read for more extended periods and often. Pupils in Year 2 and KS2 have daily Forensic Reading sessions to build their vocabulary and comprehension skills. They celebrate reading events and are rewarded with certificates for achievement, such as Roarsome Readers, Celebration Assembly, Curriculum Champions and Afternoon Tea with the Headteacher.
"A love of reading is the biggest indicator of future academic success."
OECD (The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development)
Phonics is:
'making connections between the sounds of our spoken words and the letters that are used to write them down'
Our Reading and Phonics Lead is Mrs Tracy Chance
Roarsome Readers
We celebrate reading at Causeway Green with our Roarsome Reader challenge. Learn more about this challenge and meet Rosie the Dinosaur and Ranger Rick on our Roarsome Readers page.
To learn more about Phonics and how it is taught in Reception, Year 1 and Year 2, please see the useful videos below.
This information is particularly useful for our EAL, Early Years and KS1 parents.
Reception Phase 2 Autumn 1 sounds
.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-ZtjFIvA_fs
Reception Phase 2 Autumn 2 sounds
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qDu3JAjf-U0
Reception Phase 3 Spring 1 sounds
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DvOuc7cWXxc
Yr 1 Phase 5 sounds
https://www.littlewandlelettersandsounds.org.uk/resources/for-parents/
Parent Information
Find information below about how we teach phonics in our school and how you can support your child at home. The Parent PowerPoint is particularly helpful, alongside the handout and pronunciation guide.
Reading for Pleasure
We have a dedicated library space at our school. Each week the children visit the library to choose a book to read for pleasure. We encourage children to choose from a variety of non-fiction and fiction in hard back, paper back and comic versions.
World Book Day 2025 promoted a love of reading and encouraged children to 'Read Your Way'. Whether you love reading in a bath, in the garden or cosy and snuggled in bed, we celebrate Reading Your Way!
The school enjoyed a personal message from MC Grammar, who told us to 'keep reading, keep rapping, WOWzahh!' See his message here: