Phonics

Phonics at Our School – Little Wandle Letters and Sounds Revised

At Sturton by Stow Primary School, we follow Little Wandle Letters and Sounds Revised, a highly effective, DfE‑validated phonics programme, to teach children how to read and write with confidence.

Phonics is taught daily from Nursery and Reception, and continues into Year 1 and beyond for any children who need extra support. Little Wandle follows a systematic and highly structured approach, ensuring that all children learn sounds, letter formations and tricky words in small, manageable steps.

Children are taught to:

• Recognise sounds (phonemes)
• Blend sounds together to read words
• Segment sounds to spell words correctly
• Build fluency and confidence in reading and writing

Lessons are fast‑paced, engaging and interactive, with regular opportunities for children to practise and apply their skills. Reading books are fully matched to the sounds your child has been taught, so children experience success and develop a love of reading.

We regularly assess children to ensure teaching meets their needs. Any child who finds learning to read more challenging receives additional support through keep‑up sessions, so no child falls behind.

Supporting Reading at Home

Children take home a Little Wandle reading book and a sharing book. We encourage parents and carers to read regularly with their child and celebrate their progress.

If you would like to know more about how Little Wandle works or how to support your child at home, please speak to your child’s class teacher.