Phonics & Spelling

Phonics in the EYFS and Year 1 is taught using Little Wandle, which is a government approved scheme. A parent guide is available to provide background information, which also suggests ideas that would be suitable to support reading at home. 

From Year 2, children learn official spelling rules and use Ready Steady Spell scheme, which is a progressive systematic spelling programme from Year 2 up to Year 6. It covers all National Curriculum expectations progressively for all these year groups. It provides full coverage, in a cyclical way, by providing opportunities to reinforce and embed learning systematically and interactively. 

Reading

At Coughton CE Primary School, we believe that reading is placed at the heart of the curriculum. We place emphasis on the importance of reading and through innovative teaching, create a rigorous and sequential approach to the reading curriculum that supports the development of children’s fluency, confidence and enjoyment. 

Each classroom has a dedicated reading area which includes a range of fiction, non-fiction and poetry reading material as well as a designated library space which children can access freely at lunchtimes. We strongly believe that a range of books offer a wealth of reading opportunities and therefore offer access to a wide range of banded reading books. Our goal at Coughton C.E. Primary school is to foster the love and enjoyment that a good book can bring.

As part of our homework policy, we encourage all children to read daily and we actively participate in World Book Day activities. Books for Topics if a fantastic website, which recommends books for your child’s age group, as well as books related to our themes. For more advice on how you can help your child read at home, please watch these videos of Children’s Laureate Julia Donaldson who shares some of her top tips. 

Writing

Through the teaching of high quality texts and our cross-curricular approach to teaching English, writing in the school is purposeful and motivational. Our children become capable writers by being given exciting, inspiring and original materials linked through a topic-based curriculum that supports their learning but also challenges them. Learning builds on prior knowledge and this is reflected in pupil work produced and the ability to earn their next pen or pencil.