At Manor Hill First School, we provide comprehensive phonics teaching from the very beginning of your child’s learning journey with us. We follow the Little Wandle Letters and Sounds Revised Programme, alongside the Big Cat Little Wandle phonically decodable books.

In Reception and Year 1, children participate in daily phonics lessons and enjoy three group reading sessions per week in alignment with our phonics scheme. They then take home a book each week to celebrate their progress.

In Year 2, children continue their phonics journey with the Little Wandle Bridge to Spelling Scheme. They progress from the Little Wandle reading books to the book-banded scheme, which matches their reading ability. As their reading develops, they advance through the different book band levels, taking their book home daily.

For children who may fall behind in their reading, we implement a rapid and robust catch-up plan from day one of their reading journey at Manor Hill.

To celebrate and encourage a love of reading both at school and at home, we run a reading incentive scheme. Children earn raffle tickets for their home reading efforts and receive prizes as they reach milestones.

From Years 1 to 4, children also participate in daily reading lessons focused on a range of high-quality texts and genres. In Years 3 and 4, each child receives their own copy of the class’s ‘whole-class reader’ text. Additionally, reading across the curriculum features prominently in these sessions. The format and delivery of our whole-class reading lessons are informed by evidence-based research and the work of Christopher Such. This ensures a strong focus on enhancing comprehension, fluency, vocabulary, and broadening children’s curriculum knowledge.