Phonics at Darley Churchtown 

At Darley Churchtown CE Primary, we recognise reading as a key life skill, which underpins access to the rest of the curriculum. We teach children early reading skills using a systematic synthetic phonics scheme (SSP). Evidence shows that when delivered in a structured way phonics is one of the most effective ways to teach young children to read.

We have carefully chosen to use Little Wandle as our phonics programme. This is delivered daily by our trained staff.

What is Phonics?

“Phonics is making connections between the sounds of our spoken words and the letters that are used to write them down.” – Little Wandle Letters and Sounds 2022.

At Darley Churchtown CE Primary, children begin their phonics journey as soon as they start school. Children are taught to:

• Recognise the sounds that each individual letter makes;
• Identify the sounds that different combinations of letters make e.g. sh, th, oo;
• Blend sounds to make a word.

Children continue learning phonics throughout KS1 and until they can read fluently.  Our aim is to ensure that all of our children become successful, fluent readers by the time they leave our school and develop a lifelong love of reading.

Pronunciation guides

The resources below will help you support your child with saying their sounds and writing their letters. There are also some useful videos so you can see how they are taught at school and feel confident about supporting their reading at home. 

Reception Autumn 1 sounds

Download a guide to how children are taught to say their sounds in Reception Autumn 1 (when they first start school in September through to October half term.

You can also watch a short (one minute) video of the sounds being pronounced using this LINK.

Reception Autumn 2 sounds

Download a guide to how children are taught to say their sounds in Reception Autumn 2 (from November through to the end of term, as we break for Christmas).

You can also watch a short (less than one minute) video of the sounds being pronounced using this LINK.

Reception Spring 1 sounds

Download a guide to how children are taught to say their sounds in Reception Spring 1 (from January through to February half term).

You can also watch a short (less than one minute) video of the sounds being pronounced using this LINK.

Year 1 sounds

Download a guide to how children are taught to say their sounds in Year 1.

You can also watch a short (less than one minute) video of the sounds being pronounced using this LINK.

More resources for parents

Little Wandle have a dedicated page for parents which is packed full of useful resources. 

The resources on this page will help you support your child with saying their sounds and writing their letters. There are also some useful videos so you can see how they are taught at school and feel confident about supporting their reading at home. 

Parents can also find out more information about the books which we send home.

Early reading and phonics policy 

We have an agreed policy for the teaching of phonics and early reading. You can find this on the policies section of our website.