At Matford Brook Academy, we know that ‘writing our story’ means our children can all become fluent readers and writers. This direct teaching starts with Phonics.

Children in Nursery and Preschool participate in planned speaking and listening activities that are matched to their developing needs. Staff draw upon observations and continuous assessment to ensure children are stretched and challenged and to identify children who may need additional support.

In Reception, Year 1 and Year 2, children follow Little Wandle Letters and Sounds Revised, which is a Department for Education validated systematic and synthetic phonics programme. The programme ensures that children build on their growing knowledge of the alphabetic code, mastering phonics to read and spell as they move through school.

At Matford Brook Academy, we model the application of the alphabetic code through phonics, in shared reading and writing both inside and outside the Phonics lesson and across the curriculum. We have a strong focus on language development for our children because we understand that vocabulary, speaking and listening are crucial skills for reading and writing in all subjects.

We value reading as a crucial life skill. Therefore, by the time children leave us, we expect that all children will have acquired the skills necessary to read confidently for meaning and regularly enjoy reading for pleasure and purpose. Through a relentless and rigorous approach to the teaching of Phonics and early reading, our readers are equipped with the tools to tackle unfamiliar words as they read. More detailed information can be found in our Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) Policy (on our Key Statutory Information page).