Phonics is the foundation that underpins both our reading and writing. At Broadlands, phonics is at the heart of our English curriculum. 

At Broadlands Primary School Pearson Bug Club is used to teach synthetic phonics.

Pearson Bug Club offers a graduated approach and children begin phonics sessions as soon as they enter reception Class. Phonics is taught daily through a systematic approach. Children are taught within their class and any additional support is delivered in small groups during afternoon sessions. 

We begin by developing an awareness of sounds through stories, rhymes and games. The children quickly move on to developing and understanding the links between letters and their sounds. There are 44 different sounds that they will learn during their time in Early Years and KS1.

This knowledge is taught during daily sessions which last around 30 minutes. Within these sessions children develop skills which they can then apply when reading their reading books which are also linked to the Pearson Bug Club scheme. All reading books are based around an individuals understanding and progress ensuring they can confidently approach every book and have the skills to read it.

Teachers regularly assess the children progress in order to plan effective teaching and interventions when and where they are needed. 

Bug Club Phonics

Year 1 Phonics Screening

 What is the Phonics Screening Check?

The national phonics screening check was introduced in 2012 to all year one pupils. It is a short statutory assessment to conform whether children are able to decode words to read them. It aims to identify children who need extra help so that they can be given support to improve their reading skills.

When does it take place?

The phonics screening check takes place in June.

What form does the phonics screening check take? 

The child will be taken by a teacher and asked to read 40 words, 20 real words and 20 non-words (nonsense words or alien words). The format of the assessment will not be new to the children, they practice these words, in groups and individually, in class throughout the year. The purpose of reading non-words is to test a child’s phonics ability – they will not be able to guess these words and can only read them with their good phonetic knowledge.

What happens if children do not pass in year one?

They will re-take the phonics screening check in year two.