PHONICS AND READING
At Thanet Primary we are all readers!
At Thanet we are all readers! We take the children on a journey in nursery, where they enjoy stories and learn to identify print, to an end point where our pupils read actively and confidently. Through rigorous phonic teaching, we aim to crack the phonic code and ensure our pupils become good word readers and, through quality texts, we build vocabulary to aid comprehension. We aim to build a seamless transfer of skills from learning to read to reading to learn. Threaded throughout each year group in school is a desire that all children learn to love reading and read for pleasure. We aspire for all pupils to leave us reading widely for pleasure and information.
Reading at Thanet
At Thanet Primary, reading is the heartbeat of our curriculum. We aim to transform every child into a confident, fluent reader who possesses the foundational knowledge and expertise required for the next stage of their education. Our reading journey follows a clear chronological progression, ensuring that skills are appropriately sequenced to build on prior learning.
The Early Years: Foundations of Sound (Nursery & FS2)
The journey begins in Nursery, where we prioritize environmental sound awareness and rhyming skills. As children move into Reception, there is a "sharp focus" on acquiring a wide vocabulary and securing phonics knowledge. By the end of the Early Years, our goal is for children to use their phonics to read accurately and with increasing fluency.
Key Stage 1: Mastering the Code
Phonics is taught discreetly from FS2 to Year 2 through the Read Write Inc (RWI) programme. This structured, rigorous approach is built on the "5 P’s":
• Praise: Learning in a positive environment.
• Pace: Brisk lessons to keep children focused.
• Purpose: Clear links between activities, reading, and comprehension.
• Passion: Teachers bring energy and enthusiasm to every session.
• Participation: Active partner work ensures every child is engaged.
To ensure success in FS1 and KS1, children take home reading books that are closely matched to their individual phonics knowledge. QR codes are shared with families to support parents and strengthen home learning. Our phonics leader ensures regular coaching takes place so that all practitioners remain consistently focused on the phonics scheme.
The phonics team provides targeted tutoring for any child who falls behind, alongside regular tracking to clearly identify individual barriers to mastering phonics. Children are assessed frequently, with groups remaining fluid and lessons regularly observed to ensure high-quality provision for all learners.
Targeted Phonics Support in Key Stage 2
Fluency intervention is also tracked across KS2 to increase reading accuracy and speed.
The Fresh Start programme is implemented across Key Stage 2 (Y4 up) for any children who continue to require support with phonics. Teachers carefully identify and address key gaps in learning, using daily flashcard practice to secure sound recognition and recall.
Pupils then take part in bespoke, daily phonics sessions tailored to their individual needs. Progress is closely tracked to ensure rapid catch-up and sustained improvement.
Key Stage 2: From Fluency to Deep Comprehension
Once the phonics code is securely mastered, the focus shifts toward fluency and comprehension through bespoke sessions.
The Weekly Journey
We follow a structured weekly "road map" to ensure all reading domains are mastered:
• Monday (Fluency): Children explore vocabulary using actions and flashcards, followed by a one-minute fluency challenge to build pace and expression.
• Tuesday (Vocabulary): A focus on words in context, synonyms, antonyms, and using dictionaries to clarify meanings.
• Wednesday (Retrieval): Using "fastest finger first" activities to locate explicit evidence within a text.
• Thursday (Inference): Drawing inferences about characters' feelings, thoughts, and motives, justified with evidence.
• Friday (Application): Mixed domain review and SATs-style questions to apply the week's learning to unseen text.
Our Passion for a Reading Culture
We believe reading should be available at every corner of our school. We are dedicated to creating a culture that enthuses every child:
• Reading Environments:
Our Reading Shed during OPAL play and our Reading Vending Machine ensure high-quality books are always accessible.
Our inviting bookshelves encourage children to pick up a book at any time of the day.
• Inspiring Events: Events like Poetry Slam have been organised to develop a passion for performance and creative writing. From National Storytelling Week to World Book Day, our calendar is full of events that celebrate the joy of stories, our Reading lead updates these monthly.
• Author Visits: Real-life authors and poets visit to perform their work and lead workshops, inspiring our pupils to find their own voices
• Student Leadership: Our Reading Ambassadors champion reading events and help organize competitions across the school.
• Library Links: Our partnership with the Library Service ensures a rich and engaging "reading diet" for all classes. This is regularly changed, matching books to their interests.
Celebrating Progress: The Golden Balloon
We want our community to see how proud we are of our readers. We use Reading Records to track commitment throughout the term. Children who demonstrate consistent dedication to reading are rewarded with a Golden Balloon. There is no prouder moment than seeing our pupils walk out of the school gates with their balloons, raising the reading profile across the entire estate.
Commitment to Inclusion
We hold the same high expectations for every child, including those with SEND or those who are disadvantaged We adapt our strategies to reduce cognitive load, ensuring the curriculum remains accessible and challenging for everyone.
Reading at Thanet
At Thanet Primary, reading sits at the very heart of our curriculum. We are committed to developing confident, fluent readers who have the essential knowledge and skills required for the next stage of their education and beyond.
Our reading curriculum follows a clear, carefully sequenced journey, ensuring that skills are built progressively and securely from the earliest years through to Key Stage 2.
Phonics
Phonics is taught using the Read, Write Inc (RWI) programme, a resource which integrates phonics with comprehension, spelling and handwriting, using engaging partner work.
All staff in EYFS and KS1 have received extensive training and support using this resource to maximise progress and develop confident readers and writers. RWI sets out a detailed and systematic programme for teaching phonic skills to children starting by the age of five, with the aim of them becoming fluent readers by age seven.
Early Years: Foundations of Sound
Nursery & Reception
The reading journey begins in Nursery, where children develop an awareness of environmental sounds and explore rhyme and rhythm. These early experiences lay the foundations for later phonics learning.
In Reception (FS2), there is a sharp focus on developing a rich vocabulary alongside securing early phonics knowledge. Children are taught to recognise sounds, blend them to read words, and begin reading with increasing accuracy and fluency.
By the end of the Early Years, our aim is for all children to confidently apply their phonics skills to read simple texts independently.
Key Stage 1: Mastering the Code
From FS2 through to Year 2, phonics is taught daily using the Read Write Inc. (RWI) programme. This structured and rigorous approach ensures consistency and success for all learners and is underpinned by the 5 P’s:
· Praise – learning takes place in a positive, supportive environment
· Pace – brisk lessons maintain focus and engagement
· Purpose – clear links between phonics, reading, and comprehension
· Passion – teachers deliver sessions with enthusiasm and energy
· Participation – partner work ensures every child is actively involved
Children in FS1 and KS1 take home fully decodable reading books that are closely matched to their phonics knowledge. QR codes are shared with families to support reading at home and strengthen school–home partnerships.
Our Phonics Leader provides regular coaching and monitoring to ensure consistent, high-quality delivery across the school. Children are assessed frequently, groups remain fluid, and targeted tutoring is provided for any child who needs additional support. This ensures barriers to phonics success are identified early and addressed swiftly.
Key Stage 2: From Fluency to Deep Comprehension
Once children have securely mastered the phonics code, the focus shifts to developing reading fluency, vocabulary, and comprehension through carefully planned, bespoke reading sessions.
Our Weekly Reading Journey
A structured weekly “road map” ensures that all reading domains are explicitly taught and revisited:
- Monday – Fluency
Vocabulary is explored using actions and flashcards, followed by a one-minute fluency challenge to develop pace, accuracy, and expression.
- Tuesday – Vocabulary
Children explore words in context, investigate synonyms and antonyms, and use dictionaries to clarify meaning.
- Wednesday – Retrieval
Pupils practise locating explicit information using activities such as “fastest finger first”.
- Thursday – Inference
Children draw inferences about characters’ thoughts, feelings, and motives, justifying their ideas with evidence from the text.
- Friday – Application
A mixed-domain review using SATs-style questions allows children to apply their learning to unfamiliar texts.
We follow a structured three-week text cycle, ensuring children regularly engage with fiction, non-fiction, and knowledge-rich texts that deepen their understanding of the wider curriculum.
Creating a Love of Reading
We believe reading should be visible, accessible, and celebrated throughout the school.
Reading Environments
Our Reading Shed during OPAL play and our Reading Vending Machine ensure high-quality books are always available. Inviting book areas and well-stocked shelves encourage children to pick up a book at any point during the day.
Inspiring Events
From National Storytelling Week to World Book Day, our reading calendar is full of events that celebrate the joy of books and stories. Events such as Poetry Slam inspire creativity, performance, and a love of language. Our Reading Lead provides monthly updates to keep reading at the forefront of school life.
Author Visits
Visits from authors and poets give children the opportunity to experience real-life storytelling and writing, inspiring them to find their own voice.
Student Leadership
Our Reading Ambassadors promote reading across the school, supporting events and helping to organise competitions.
Library Links
Our partnership with the Library Service ensures a rich and varied reading diet for all classes. Book selections are refreshed regularly and matched to pupils’ interests.
Celebrating Progress: The Golden Balloon
We are proud of our readers and celebrate commitment and progress. Reading Records are used to track reading throughout the term, and children who demonstrate consistent dedication are rewarded with a Golden Balloon.
Seeing our pupils leave school proudly carrying their balloons is a powerful way of celebrating reading success and raising the profile of reading across our whole community.
Commitment to Inclusion
We hold high expectations for every child, including those with SEND and those who are disadvantaged. Teaching approaches are adapted to reduce cognitive load while ensuring the curriculum remains both accessible and challenging, enabling all pupils to succeed as readers.