Talk Halton
Halton are adopting a new initiative to try and tackle the growing problem of speech and communication difficulties.
Please click here for more information
Sherwood's Online Work
Sherwood's Online Work
Sherwood's Online Work
Sherwood's Online Work
Sherwood's Online Work
Whinfell's Class Books
Whinfell's Class Books
Reading and Phonics
Reading
In Key Stage 1, we use the Oxford Reading Tree scheme for reading. It is recognised that children who read regularly at home make the most progress in reading. We would therefore encourage all children to read at home each evening from a variety of books and sources, and would ask that the reading record books are completed.
In Key Stage 2, children increasingly move through the banded bands where they can select a book of their choice from an allocated level book band. Children's choice of books are closely monitored by the class teacher to ensure pupils are choosing appropriate books that they will understand and enjoy. Juniors are asked to read for a minimum of 10 minutes each evening. We recognise that as they get older, many children like to read independently, however, periodic reading aloud enables parents to ask their child questions about their chosen book and so still share in the experience.
KS1 Phonics
Our programme of study includes the systematic teaching of synthetic phonics. Phonics is a way of teaching children how to read and write. It helps children to hear, identify and use different sounds that distinguish one word from another.
Children are taught to:
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Recognise the sounds that individual letters make.
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Identify the sounds different combinations of letters make.
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Blend those sounds together to make a word.
Read Write Inc is adopted throughout KS1. Phonics is currently taught daily across Reception, Year 1 and Year 2. Across KS1, children are grouped according to reading ability which is regularly assessed and changed accordingly. In KS2, children will access phonics teaching where required.
Spelling, Punctuation and Grammar.
At all levels, there is an emphasis on spelling, punctuation and grammar as well as vocabulary development. In order to develop vocabulary, we have a focus on raising the profile of reading for pleasure and have regular reading challenges as well as celebrating events such as World Book Day.
Year 1 Phonics Screening
At the end of Year 1, your child will sit a Phonics Screening test to check their understanding of sounds through their ability to decode and blend real and pseudo (made up) words. The pass rate for this test changes each year and is not given to school until the Phonics Screening is completed. If your child does not pass the Phonics Screening check, they will continue with Read, Write Inc. in Year 2 and will sit the check again at the end of Year 2.
Reading for Pleasure
Throughout the school, our aim is to promote the love of reading amongst everyone. Every classroom has their own reading corners, we have parent bookcase in our school foyer where you can borrow books to read and we even have our outdoor reading shed where you can come before and after school enjoy a good read with your child.