Phonics
Phonics
Phonics is a crucial part of the English Curriculum in the EYFS and Year 1. At Beaufort, we teach phonics through the SSP program Essential Letters and Sounds (ELS). We start teaching phonics as soon as our children join us in Nursery and continue into Reception and Year 1, following ELS’ progressive phonic phases (see ELS phase progression document below). These progressive phases have specific graphemes within them, that are taught in a certain order (please see grapheme phase document below for exact order). These phases build on children’s growing knowledge of the alphabetic code, leading to mastering phonics to read as they move through school. Within each ELS phase, there are hard to read and spell words (HRS). HRS words (see below for HRS word list) are common words in the English language that children should know even before being taught the relevant Grapheme Phoneme Correspondences. These words are often referred to as "sight word.’’ We teach phonics for 25 minutes every day, in both Reception and Year 1. Any child who needs additional support receives 1:1 practise, taught by a fully trained adult. These interventions match the structure of class teaching (review, teach, apply, review) and use the same procedures, resources and actions but in smaller steps and more repetition, so that every child secures learning.
The introduction to grapheme-phoneme correspondences (GPCS) supports our children to read books that are consistent with their developing phonic knowledge. We use ELS Phonics reading books, and the children’s level is closely matched to their individual abilities.
At the end of Year 1, children take their Phonics screening check. For more information of this please click on the link below.
Phonics screening check: 2024 materials - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
Year 2 phonics
Children in Year 2 who do not achieve the required pass rate for the PSC in Year1, receive 1:1 intervention (as above), 3 x a week, that are individual to their needs. They are assessed half termly to track their progression and continue to read ELS books that match their ability as well as an AR text to progress their understanding (see English reading section for more AR detail). In the Summer of Year 2, they then retake the phonics screening check.
Early Reading
In addition to phonics, during their time in EYFS and Year 1, our children are exposed to a wide range of picture books, rhymes and poetry. The children demonstrate their understanding through retelling stories, anticipating the key events, and using new vocabulary they have been introduced to (see book examples on our LTPs, on the curriculum home page). Teachers ensure our children can thrive by providing a language-rich environment where children can develop both their speaking and listening skills. During daily story times, teachers use VIPER style sentence stems to encourage discussions and progression in comprehension skills.
For more detail on each phonic phase and how to support your child with the correct pronunciation of each grapheme, below click on the link below.
Essential Letters and Sounds - Oxford Owl
Any child learning Phonics at Beaufort, also has access to 1000’s of ELS EBOOKS, through the Oxford Owl website. Please find your child’s login details in the front/back of their reading diaries.
Phonics Documents
Phonics ELS HRS Words Reception and Year 1 Phonics ELS Phase Progression Document Rec-Year 1 Phonics ELS Nursery Grapheme Progression Phonics Phase 2 Grapheme Order Reception Phonics Phase 3 Grapheme Order Reception Phonics Phase 5 and 5 Plus Grapheme Order Reception and Year 1
