Across Bonneygrove and Millbrook Primary Schools, we use the government-validated systematic synthetic phonics programme (SSP) Little Wandle: Letters and Sounds Revised. This programme is designed to teach children to read from Nursery through to Year 2 and beyond, using the essential skills of decoding and blending sounds to read words fluently.

The programme provides a carefully structured progression through all commonly occurring grapheme-phoneme correspondences (GPCs), moving from simple to more complex patterns, while taking into account the frequency of their occurrence in the English language. This ensures children build secure, transferable reading skills.

INTENT

At Bonneygrove and Millbrook Primary Schools, we are passionate about ensuring that every child becomes a confident, fluent and enthusiastic reader and writer. We recognise that strong early reading underpins success across the curriculum and is fundamental to life-long learning.

Phonics is the foundation of our early reading provision. We are committed to delivering an approach that is:

• consistent across the federation
• inclusive and accessible to all learners, regardless of background or need
• rooted in high expectations for every child

We begin teaching phonics in Nursery, following the Little Wandle progression to ensure children systematically build their understanding of the alphabetic code. As they move through the school, children develop the knowledge and skills needed to decode unfamiliar words with confidence and automaticity.

We place a strong emphasis on language development, recognising that speaking and listening are critical to reading, writing and overall academic success. Through rich talk, high-quality texts and purposeful interactions, we ensure children develop the vocabulary and comprehension skills needed to thrive.

Our aim is that by the end of Key Stage 1, all children will:

• read fluently and accurately
• apply phonics confidently to unfamiliar words
• develop a love of reading

IMPLEMENTATION

Foundations for phonics in Nursery

We provide a balance of child-led and adult-led experiences that meet the expectations of Communication and Language and Literacy. These include:

• sharing high-quality stories, poems and texts
• learning a wide range of nursery rhymes and action rhymes
• developing listening and attention skills, including oral blending
• exposure to rich, high-quality language

This ensures children are well prepared to begin formal phonics teaching in Reception.

Daily phonics teaching (Reception and Year One)

Phonics is taught daily and with fidelity to the Little Wandle programme across the federation.

• Two phonics sessions are delivered each day
• In Reception, lessons build rapidly from short sessions to full 30-minute lessons
• Teaching begins in Week 2 of the Autumn term
• Weekly review sessions consolidate learning and build fluency

Progression follows Little Wandle expectations:

• Reception: Phase 2 and 3 GPCs, progressing to Phase 4
• Year 1: Review of Phase 3 and 4, progressing to Phase 5

Keep-up support: ensuring every child succeeds

We prioritise a keep-up, not catch-up approach.

• Children who need additional support receive daily Keep-up sessions
• These are delivered by trained adults using the same structure and language as whole-class teaching
• Sessions are carefully matched to pupils’ needs, with smaller steps and increased repetition

For children in Year Two and beyond who are not yet fluent:

• Daily phonics teaching continues where needed
• Gaps are identified through assessment and addressed swiftly
• In Key Stage Two, targeted 10-minute catch-up sessions take place at least three times per week

Teaching reading: structured practice sessions

Children read in small-group reading practice sessions three times a week, led by trained adults.

These sessions:

• use books closely matched to children’s phonic knowledge
• are monitored by the class teacher
• focus on three key skills:
  • decoding
  • prosody (reading with expression)
  • comprehension

In Reception, sessions begin in the Spring term for children who are ready. Additional support is provided for those still developing blending skills.

This approach continues into Year Two and beyond for any pupils who need further practice with decodable texts.

Home reading and partnership with families

We work closely with parents and carers across the federation to support early reading.

• Children take home a decodable reading book matched to their phonics stage
• Additional reading-for-pleasure books are shared at home
• High-frequency and tricky words are provided for regular practice:
  • Reception: 100 words
  • Year 1: 200 words

This ensures consistency between school and home and builds reading confidence.

Support for vulnerable learners

We ensure early identification and support for pupils who may be at risk of falling behind.

• Pupils are identified early (from Autumn 2)
• Progress is monitored by the Reading Leader and SENCo
• Children receiving Keep-up support read daily with an adult

Consistency and quality of teaching

High-quality teaching is secured through:

• full staff training in Little Wandle
• consistent use of shared language, routines and resources
• detailed weekly planning through content grids
• lesson templates, prompt cards and training materials

The Reading Leader and Senior Leadership Team:

• regularly monitor teaching
• analyse assessment data
• ensure rapid intervention where needed

IMPACT

Assessment

Assessment is used effectively to ensure no child falls behind.

Formative assessment:

• daily identification of pupils needing support
• weekly review sessions to secure fluency

Summative assessment:

• every six weeks using Little Wandle assessments
• used to identify gaps and plan targeted support
• analysed by leaders to close attainment gaps

Statutory assessment

• All pupils complete the Year One Phonics Screening Check
• Pupils who do not meet the expected standard retake the check in Year Two

Ongoing assessment and catch-up

• Pupils in Years Two–Six are assessed regularly
• Targeted support is provided to address any gaps in phonics knowledge

Leadership and expertise

Because teaching every child to read is a top priority across the federation, we have a dedicated Phonics and Early Reading Leader who drives the programme.

The leader:

• is highly skilled in phonics teaching
• supports and coaches staff
• ensures fidelity to the Little Wandle programme
• monitors outcomes to ensure all children make strong progress

Overall Impact

Through our consistent, high-quality, federation-wide approach, children at Bonneygrove and Millbrook:

• develop secure phonics knowledge
• become fluent, confident readers
• are well prepared to access the full curriculum
• develop a lifelong love of reading

Follow these links to support your child at home: 

• Support for Phonics https://www.littlewandlelettersandsounds.org.uk/resources/for-parents/
• How we teach Phonics https://www.littlewandlelettersandsounds.org.uk/resources/for-parents/
• Books coming home https://www.littlewandlelettersandsounds.org.uk/resources/for-parents/

An example of the Phase Two graphemes the children will learn in Reception. 

 

 How to Access Collins Little Wandle Phonics eBooks

What You’ll Need

- A username and password provided by your child’s school.
- An internet connection (for login and first use).
- A compatible device: phone, tablet, or computer.

Using the App (iOS or Android)

Follow these steps to access the Collins eBooks app:

iOS (iPhone or iPad)

1. Open the App Store.
2. Search for 'Collins Hub' (by HarperCollins Publishers Ltd).
3. Download and install the app.

Android

1. Open the Google Play Store.
2. Search for 'Collins Hub'.
3. Download and install the app (it’s free).
Note: If you cannot find the app, use the web browser version instead (see below).

Step 2: Log In

1. Open the Collins Hub app.
2. Enter the username and password provided by your school.
3. Tap Login.
4. You’ll see your child’s Library showing the books your school has assigned.

Step 3: Find and Read the Books

- Tap on a book cover to open it.
- Use the arrows to turn pages.
- Tap the audio icon if the book includes a read-along option.
- Switch between single-page and double-page views.
- To download for offline reading, tap the download icon.

Step 4: Return to the Library

When you’re finished, tap Library or the back arrow to return to the main bookshelf. Your child’s reading progress will be saved automatically.

Using a Web Browser (on any device)

1. Go to https://ebooks.collinsopenpage.com/
2. Log in using your school’s username and password.
3. You’ll see your child’s Library of Little Wandle books.
4. Click a book cover to open and read.
5. Use arrows to turn pages and click the audio icon if you’d like to listen.
Tip: You can use this on laptops, Chromebooks, tablets, or phones—no app needed.

Tips for Parents

- Try to read each book more than once during the week.
- Let your child sound out and blend the words before you help.
- Use the questions at the back of the book to talk about what they’ve read.
- If login fails, double-check spelling or ask your child’s teacher for help.