Please read this page in conjunction with our English Curriculum

Phonics Scheme Intent

In order to teach our pupils to become fluent, confident readers, who have a love of reading; we make it our priority to teach a daily phonics lesson using Twinkl schematic synthetic phonics programme.  We  run 4 classes across EY and KS1 in our rural context and mixed aged classes made it essential to coordinate the teaching of phonics schematically so that each child had age relevant content and appropriate support to maintain progress or receive intervention. 

In Summer 2026 we invited the English Hub to adult our provision and as a result of their grant funding we are able to invest in further fully decodable books throughout Early years Foundation Stage and KS1. We are also able to invest in further catchup programme resources for KS2, which supports children new to school who require additional phonics intervention.

Implementation

From Reception onwards, pupils receive a daily phonics lesson with all pupils in each class attending their phonics lesson at the same time, targeted at their current level of attainment, and are encouraged to apply this learning in their reading and writing. Teachers and teaching assistants assess the children half-termly. Interventions are used for children who are significantly behind.

Phonics sets the timetable for all other lessons in school since this essential learning is prioritised.

Discrete phonics teaching continues into Year 3 for pupils who require additional support and learning time to focus on securing their phonics knowledge. We work within all Key Stages to ensure that all pupils who would benefit from extra phonics teaching receive it. Any pupil, who has not reached the expected phonics level by the end of Year 1, as assessed by the national screening check, receives additional phonics intervention within Year 2, so that they can catch up with their peers.

Key Points for Phonics at Robert Arkenstall

The teaching of phonics in the EYFS:

We use a schematic synthetic phonics programme.  We teach daily phonic sessions. We have a wide selection of phonetically decodable reading books available.

The teaching of phonics in KS1:

We use a schematic synthetic phonics programme.  We teach daily phonic sessions. We assess phonics attainment half-termly. We use interventions for pupils significantly behind.

The teaching of phonics in KS2:

Discrete phonics teaching continues in Year 3 for those that need it. Gaps are identified and addressed.

Impact

We are proud of our phonics screening results, which are typically in the high 80% or 90%, with high Median Average scores of 37. 

Pupils at Robert Arkenstall benefit from a high level of phonics knowledge by all staff involved with the teaching of phonics; the consistent use of language throughout the school and the high emphasis that phonics receives in all reading and writing activities.

 

Find out more about our whole school English Curriculum here