Phonics

Intent

At Great Kimble School, we value reading and writing as essential life skills and place a high priority on the teaching of reading throughout our curriculum. Our Phonics curriculum is designed to nurture big hearts and bold futures by enabling all pupils to become confident, capable and enthusiastic readers.

The foundations of reading begin with the systematic teaching of phonics in EYFS and Key Stage 1, with continued support into Key Stage 2 where needed. Through a structured, consistent and progressive approach, pupils develop secure phonic knowledge and key skills in segmenting and blending, building on prior learning to become fluent and confident readers. Children are supported to apply these skills through reading carefully matched texts, ensuring success and confidence at every stage.

Alongside phonics, we promote a love of reading by exposing pupils to a wide range of high-quality texts. A language-rich reading environment, opportunities for independent reading and regular story time with adults help to foster enjoyment, imagination and curiosity. Through shared reading experiences, pupils develop big hearts by building empathy, understanding and a connection to language and stories.

We aim for children to read words and simple sentences by the end of EYFS, become fluent readers by the end of Key Stage 1, and continue to deepen their understanding of increasingly complex texts as they move through school. In doing so, we prepare pupils for bold futures, equipping them with the literacy skills and love of reading needed to succeed across the curriculum and beyond.