Reading and Phonics

Phonics Scheme

At St Luke’s we teach phonics using the Twinkl Systematic Synthetic Phonics scheme. The scheme is adapted to ensure all pupils working on phonics can make good progress at a level appropriate to them. If you require any further information about the “Letters and Sounds” scheme and how it is adapted for your child then please contact the class teacher.

You can find further information on the Twinkl Systematic Synthetic Phonics scheme by clicking on the link below

Twinkl Phonics Programme

You can also find further details about our phonics and reading pathways at the bottom of this page

The St Luke's Approach to Reading and Phonics

What is the St Luke’s Approach to Phonics?

At St Luke’s we believe that phonics is the best way to support the development of reading and writing skills. At St Luke’s we will promote phonics as the primary way children develop their skills in word reading. Some children at St Luke’s need to develop a functional use of English. They need to develop an understanding of and ability to recognise common words, pictures and symbols and environmental language. We also have a group of children at St Luke’s who have the ability to read through sight and who will continue to develop their ability to decode unknown words through a systematic synthetic phonics approach.

Children will develop their reading comprehension ability through a reading-rich environment and being exposed to quality stories and poems and a range of different text types including those beyond their own reading ability.

How does it support the children to develop skills and acquire more knowledge?

Children at St Luke’s take longer to develop and embed skills than neurotypically developing children. The 3 Pathways approach allows children to develop the fundamental skills required before they move on to the formal learning of letters and sounds though a systematic synthetic phonics scheme.
At the Pre-formal level (Stages 1-3 St Luke’s Assessment System) the children develop their communication and visual discrimination skills. Developing these skills will help them to develop the pre-requisite skills to be able to engage in a semi-formal approach.
At this Semi-formal level (Stage 4-7) the children are starting to develop their pre-phonological awareness skills as well as engaging with a variety of books and different text types and genres. Some children will be developing their functional reading skills for example recognising names, signs and symbols in the environment and developing book skills. This will happen in a language rich environment at an age and developmentally appropriate level. They will take part in activities to help develop these skills as well as start to increase their pre-phonological awareness and early sound-talk skills in line with the 7 aspects of Phase 1 of the Twinkl Phonics scheme.
Once children have achieved Stage 7 on the St Luke’s Assessment System they are starting to learn to decode words phonetically in a Formal way while still continuing to revisit and develop the skills learnt in Phase 1. At this formal level they follow a systematic synthetic phonics scheme (Twinkl Phonics Phases 2-6). Children will need a series of lessons/repetition to help them to retain knowledge. Some will require a multi-sensory approach to help them to retain knowledge, for example using mnemonics to support learning
Children at the pre-formal level will develop their comprehension through participation in a range of stories and texts at a sensory level beginning to make connections between objects, sensations, rhythm, sounds, symbols and words.
Children at the semi-formal level will develop their comprehension and vocabulary through being exposed to a range of quality text types and genres of stories and non-fiction books including those beyond their reading ability. They will demonstrate their understanding by making choices and using pictures and symbols. They will begin to demonstrate their understanding of stories through sequencing activities using objects and pictures and by answering simple questions using their chosen communication method.
Children at the Formal level will demonstrate their understanding through sequencing events in stories and answering more complex questions such as those requiring prediction and inference. They will be able to show preferences for certain texts and be able to make links to their own lives or between types of stories and genres as they gain independence in their reading skills.

What are our next steps?

Embed Twinkl Systematic Synthetic Phonics Scheme
Ensure there is a consistent approach to phonics and clear guidance for teachers
Train staff on how to deliver school approach/systematic synthetic phonics approach
Ensure Speech and Language materials match phonics scheme
Monitor consistency of approach across school