Phonics & Spellings

At Brentry Primary School, we are passionate about the teaching of phonics.  We believe it is an important part of your child's education which enables them to become effective communicators.

The children are taught daily sessions using synthetic phonics through the Twinkl phonics programme.  This is a method of teaching reading and writing in which words are broken up into their smallest units of sound or ‘phonemes’. The children learn to associate a written letter or group of letters, known as ‘graphemes’, with each phoneme. Sounds are then joined or ‘blended’ together into words for reading or, conversely, whole words are broken down or ‘segmented’ into their sounds for writing.

The Twinkl phonics programme is delivered in 6 levels:

In Brunel class, during the Autumn term we consolidate level 5 phonics.  We use our assessments to identify any gaps and spend the term teaching level 5 phonic sessions matched to the needs of our pupils.  After Christmas, we deliver level 6 phonic sessions.  Every child is given a decodable reading book which links to their ability. Our weekly spelling tests are on a Wednesday and are linked to the phonic sessions we have delivered that week.  Please check our homework section of our class page to see which sound we are covering and what our weekly spellings are.

How You Can Help Your Child at Home

• Work on listening skills, taking turns and encouraging your child to look at you when you are speaking.

• Practise segmenting and blending words.

• Look for familiar sounds and words in the world around you. For example, in the supermarket, can your child find words on your shopping list? Can they recognise letters on street names or on car number plates?

• Practise the new sounds and graphemes your child brings home using the Parent Information Sheets. Remember to use ‘pure’ sounds (e.g. a very short and distinct ‘p’ and ‘t’ instead of ‘puh’ and ‘tuh’) when pronouncing the sounds and model the correct letter formation as is taught in school.

• Support your child to complete any homework they bring home.

• Read to and with your child every day.

• Finally, remember to ask us if you are unsure about any aspect of your child’s phonics learning. A consistent approach is very important.

Have fun!