Oxley
Primary School
Here at Oxley, we teach children to read and write using synthetic phonics. We use Floppy’s Phonics – a rigorous, easy-to-use synthetics phonics teaching program that engages children from the outset and enables them to learn to read quickly.
Learning to read is one of the most important skills that a child will develop within their first few years with us and the more support and encouragement that parents can offer their child, the more likely it is that they will make good progress.
We teach phonics using Floppy Phonics in ability groupings from EYFS to Year 2. Once children move into Year 3, we teach phonics as an intervention for those who are still identified as needing support with reading, alongside other reading comprehension interventions.
From year 2, children use the No Nonsense spelling program to develop spelling patterns. A range of activities led by the teacher, support the understanding and application of the spelling pattern. At the end of each year, all children are tested to check progress and retention of the year group spellings. The scheme is well received throughout all of the year groups and is reinforced through spelling homework.
Reading really is at the heart of everything we do here at Oxley. We teach reading explicitly, as part of our reading lessons and within our Novel Study approach within our English lessons. This includes VIPERS sessions, daily phonics lessons, whole class reading, interventions, and daily 1:1 reading with teachers and support staff.
Oxley children are taught the skills of reading and are provided with lots of opportunities to use these within every aspect of school life. We also teach reading through visual literacy using film, poetry, and song lyrics to inspire and create excitement.
We use Floppy Phonics books to support children in learning sounds in their phonics lessons alongside comprehension. This approach helps pupils to practice sounds linked directly to teaching when reading at school and at home with parents. All our children read book banded books, following our Oxley Book Banding system from EYFS to Year 6, and also take home reading for pleasure books from the library to further encourage and promote a love of reading.
Although your child will be taught to read at school, you can have a huge impact on their reading journey by continuing their practice at home. There are two types of reading books that your child may bring home:
A reading practice book – This will be at the correct phonic stage for your child. They should be able to read this fluently and independently.
A sharing book – Your child will not be able to read this on their own. This book is for you both to read and enjoy together.
For more details on reading and English, please visit our dedicated English page