Phonics at Simon Balle All-through School
Twinkl Phonics – our systematic and synthetic phonics programme

In the Early Years and Key Stage 1 at Simon Balle, phonics is taught daily.  We teach reading through Twinkl Phonics, which is a systematic and synthetic phonics programme. We start teaching phonics in Reception and follow the Twinkl Phonics progression, which ensures children build on their growing knowledge of the alphabetic code, mastering phonics to read and spell as they move through school.

In addition to Twinkl Phonics, we have other supplementary provisions in place which are based on a depth of research in relation to how children ‘learn to read’ and, in time, ‘read to learn.’

Please click here to read the letter from Rt. Hon Damian Hinds MP sharing the incredible news that our school is in the top 5 per cent of all primary schools in the country.

The following links contain material that will help you to support your children at home when learning phonics and early reading. This includes videos that demonstrate the correct pronunciation of each sound.

 

Reading at home

Reading at home is a vital part of the learning process for all children. All children will take home 2 books each week in EYFS:

  1. A reading phonics practice book – carefully matched to your child’s current phonics level. If your child is reading it with little help, please don’t worry that it’s too easy – your child needs to develop fluency and confidence in their application of phonics to reading. 
  2. Challenge book – these books provide an opportunity to broaden your child’s reading diet. They include a range of poetry, fiction and non-fiction texts and are to be read with an adult at home to explore a range of literary devices including vocabulary, punctuation and speech.
  3. Sharing Book – In order to encourage your child to become a lifelong reader, it is important that they learn to read for pleasure. In Autumn Term for Year 1, and after February half term for Reception, your child will receive a sharing book. The sharing book is a book they have chosen from our library for you to enjoy together. Please remember that you shouldn’t expect your child to read this alone. Read it to them or with them. Discuss the pictures, enjoy the story, predict what might happen next, use different voices for the characters, explore the facts in a non-fiction book. The main thing is that you have fun!