Phonics at MMK

Being able to read is an imperative skill for children. There are two strands to learning to read: discussion and comprehension, and phonic knowledge (the recognition and understanding of letters and sounds). At Mathilda Marks-Kennedy School we follow the phonic programme 'Little Wandle’. 

Reception to Year Two has discrete Phonics lessons built into their timetables  with daily guided reading sessions. This phonics programme works in a systematic and structured way. The majority of our school reading books are based on synthetic phonics allowing the children to practice skills learnt in class. We also make use of a variety of phonic games. Regular assessment informs our staff of the need for any intervention to cater for the pupils’ individual learning requirements. In such cases, support groups or one-to-one phonics support is implemented. Where children have not reached the expected level by the beginning of Key Stage Two, phonics continues to be taught to these children in small groups