Phonics

Phonics at Pashley

At Pashley, we teach phonics to help every child become a confident reader. We take a whole-class approach, ensuring children achieve the expected phonics phases for their age. Our lessons are fun and engaging, using visuals, songs, actions, and games so all children can join in. We also include extra challenges to stretch our more confident readers.

All our phonics reading books, match the phonics phase each child is learning, making sure reading is always at the right level. Regular assessments help us spot any gaps early, so children get extra support if they need it. We are very proud of the consistently high standard of phonics teaching at Pashley.

Early Years (EYFS)

In Early Years, phonics is taught daily for 20–30 minutes. Children learn the sounds letters make and the actions that go with them. They practise listening to sounds in words, blending them to read, and segmenting them to spell. As they progress through Phase 2 and 3, they also learn the difference between uppercase and lowercase letters.

We involve parents by sending home the sounds we are learning each week on keyrings and phonics comics, so children can practise daily at home. Each classroom also has a phonics table with games and activities for children to practise independently.

Year One

Phonics continues daily in Year One for 30 minutes. Lessons include a “tricky word” of the day, a new sound, and practice with blending and segmenting to support reading and writing. Sound buttons are used to help children spot sounds in words. Each classroom displays the sound of the day.

Children take home phonics comics and a decodable reading book to reinforce their learning. All Year One children complete the Phonics Screening Check in June to ensure they know the required sounds.

Year Two

In Year Two, we follow the Little Wandle Spelling Programme. Early in the year, children recap Phase 5 phonics, supporting those who need extra help and extending those who passed the Phonics Screening. Later in the year, children focus on spelling rules, while any child who still needs support receives intensive phonic interventions. Spelling is taught three times a week, and each classroom displays the “Spelling Rule of the Week.”

Children who did not pass the Phonics Screening in Year One take it again in June of Year Two.

Extra Support and Staff Training

We run six-week phonics support interventions every term for children who need extra help. These sessions are tailored to each year group to ensure all children keep up with phonics learning.

We also run the Pashley Phonics Hub, which trains teachers from EYFS to secondary schools across East Sussex in phonics. This keeps our own staff up to date and confident in delivering high-quality phonics teaching.