Phonics & Reading
The vision and intent of the English curriculum at Lindow Community Primary School
is to provide every pupil with:
In Reading…
- Excellent phonic knowledge and skills
- Fluency and accuracy in reading across a wide range of contexts throughout the curriculum
- Knowledge of an extensive and rich vocabulary
- An excellent comprehension of texts
- The motivation to read for both study and for pleasure
- Extensive knowledge through having read a rich and varied range of texts
In Spoken Language and Communication…
- A talent for listening attentively to understand what is being said.
- A rich and varied vocabulary that gives clarity and interest to conversations.
- Clear speech that can be easily understood by a range of audiences.
- A grasp of the rules used in English conversation, such as tenses and the grammatical structure of sentences.
- A developed ability to tell stories that capture the interest and imagination of the audience.
- A delight in initiating and joining in conversations.
- Respect for others when communicating, even when views differ.
At Lindow, we follow the Little Wandle Letters and Sounds Revised phonics programme to deliver high-quality, systematic phonics teaching across Key Stage One and, where needed, into Key Stage Two. This structured approach enables children to develop vital early reading skills, including the ability to decode (sound out) words, blend phonemes, and recognise common exception words. Alongside this, children are taught to segment words for spelling, laying strong foundations for writing.
We use fully decodable reading books that are carefully matched to each child’s phonics stage, ensuring they can apply their knowledge with confidence and fluency. Phonics is not only essential for early reading and writing development but also builds key transferrable skills such as vocabulary acquisition, comprehension, and spelling strategies—skills that continue to support children’s progress throughout Key Stage Two. Targeted phonics interventions are also provided for older pupils who need additional support, ensuring no child is left behind in becoming a confident, fluent reader and writer.
At Lindow Community Primary School, we follow a Mastery approach to our teaching of reading beyond phonics through the programme 'Pathways to Read'. This approach uses high quality texts to inspire and engage children, ensuring that reading skills and comprehension are taught progressively across all year groups. Each unit is carefully structured to develop fluency, vocabulary, and a deep understanding of texts, while encouraging children to make connections between what they read and their wider experiences. The Pathways to Read programme complements our whole-school commitment to fostering a love of reading and supports children in becoming confident, independent, and enthusiastic readers.
Please encourage your child to read independently at home.
Please click here to see recommended reading lists for each year group.