Phonics

We recognise how important the development of early reading is. To support children in making the best progress they can in phonics, we use a programme called Anima Phonics as a basis for our phonics teaching. This is a government validated SSP (Systematic Synthetic Phonics) Programme. It is designed to systematically help children to develop the decoding skills they need to become fluent and confident readers. The Anima Phonics Programme aims to 'captivate children and make phonics the highlight of every day.' It doing so, it helps children to make the best start in becoming life-long readers. 

Each new sound is introduced through a song or poem, with a corresponding mnemonic action and animal mascot. 

Intent

At Great Waltham C of E Primary School, we aim to develop fluent, confident and enthusiastic readers. We believe reading is essential for learning, imagination and future success.

We promote a strong reading culture where all pupils read for pleasure and purpose. Our approach combines Anima Phonics for early reading with our Ready Steady Write curriculum, recognising the importance of talk in developing reading and writing.

Our curriculum ensures pupils:

• Develop fluency and accuracy in reading
• Understand and enjoy a wide range of texts
• Build vocabulary and comprehension through talk
• Think deeply, including making inferences
• Access learning regardless of starting point

Implementation

Reading Culture

• Teachers model a love of reading.
• Independent reading is encouraged and celebrated.
• Reading is promoted across the curriculum.
• Daily ‘five-minute reading’ supports reading for pleasure.

Learning to Read

• Anima Phonics supports early reading
• Focus on decoding, fluency and word recognition
• Additional support is provided where needed.

Comprehension and Talk

• High-quality texts are used.
• Dialogic talk supports understanding and discussion.
• Links to Ready Steady Write allow pupils to rehearse ideas before writing.

Teaching Approach

• Teachers model fluent reading and thinking.
• Vocabulary is explicitly taught.
• Pupils practise prediction, retrieval, inference and summarising.
• Sentence stems support pupils’ responses.

Independent Understanding

• Pupils show understanding through talk, writing and drama.
• Reading supports writing across the curriculum.

Impact

• Pupils read fluently and with confidence.
• Children enjoy reading and do so regularly.
• Pupils understand texts deeply and explain their thinking.
• Vocabulary and communication skills are strong.
• Writing outcomes improve through strong reading links.
• All pupils, including those with additional needs, make good progress.

Pupils leave Great Waltham as skilled, confident readers ready for the next stage of their education.