Phonics & Spelling
Phonics
At St Peter's, we recognise that strong reading and writing skills begin with a secure understanding of phonics. In the Early Years and Key Stage 1, children learn to read through the DfE validated Twinkl Phonics programme, which provides a clear, systematic and rigorous approach to teaching phonics.
Through daily lessons and regular opportunities for practice, pupils develop secure phonological awareness, learn the relationship between sounds and letters, and become confident in decoding unfamiliar words. This strong foundation enables children to become fluent, accurate readers who can access the wider curriculum with confidence.
This programme ensures children learn GPCs in an order which is well thought-out and allows them to progress through stages as they are ready.
As part of this cohesive approach, it is vital that all staff, children and parents use the same terminology and language when talking about Phonics. Therefore, staff undertake regular effective professional development and this information is disseminated with parents through workshops and weekly updates, to ensure consistency. Teachers follow a consistent ‘Revisit, Teach, Practice, Apply’ structure for planning Phonics lessons, where there are clear stages for assessing children, in order to ensure progression and coverage.
Each week, the GPCs are taught and applied through a story, which progressively builds each day, aiding children’s vocabulary acquisition and comprehension, as well as word-reading skills. Children read daily in school: individually, within small groups and as a whole class.
We also encourage daily practice of reading at home so pupils take home reading books which follow exactly the same progression as our Phonics scheme. This means that, at any point, children only encounter texts which are fully decodable for their Phonics knowledge. Pupils have regular opportunities for consolidating their GPC recall throughout their day in school, increasing their fluency and confidence.
Spelling
As pupils move through the school, their phonics knowledge is built upon through a carefully structured spelling curriculum. We use the Twinkl PlanIt Spelling scheme to provide a progressive programme of study that is fully aligned with the National Curriculum.
Each week, children learn spelling patterns, rules and conventions alongside an understanding of morphology (word structure) and etymology (word origins), helping them to understand not only how words are spelt, but why they are spelt in particular ways.
Regular retrieval practice, investigation activities and opportunities to apply learning in independent writing help pupils secure and retain their spelling knowledge over time. Through this approach, children develop accuracy, fluency and confidence in their written communication while expanding their vocabulary and understanding of language.
By combining strong foundations in phonics with a carefully sequenced spelling curriculum, we equip children with the literacy knowledge and skills needed to write effectively across the curriculum and communicate with confidence throughout their education and beyond.
Click here to see our phonics overview:
/docs/Phonics___Spelling_/Phonics_Overview.pdf
Click here to see the phonics levels:
/docs/Phonics___Spelling_/Phase_1_Alphabet_Mat.pdf
/docs/Phonics___Spelling_/Phase_2_Sound_Mat.pdf
/docs/Phonics___Spelling_/Phase_3_Sound_Mat.pdf
/docs/Phonics___Spelling_/Phase_5_Sound_Mat.pdf
Click here to see our whole school spelling overview: COMING SOON
"Gracious words are a honeycomb, sweet to the
soul and healing to the bones."
Proverbs 16:24