INTENT
Rationale: Phonics is a key skill that supports the development of early reading skills. At St. Alban’s, we combine quality phonic teaching and the promotion of reading for pleasure to provide our pupils with the skills they need to have a successful start to their lives as readers.

Ambition: Using the DFE validated scheme Essential Letters and Sounds (ELS), we intend our pupils to be able to:
· Recognise, say and write all phonemes within each phase of Essential Letters and Sounds
· Use their phonic knowledge to blend and segment phonetically decodable words
· Use their phonic knowledge to attempt to read and write more complex words
· Read Harder to Read and Write words
· Write clearly, accurately and coherently, using their phonic knowledge

IMPLEMENTATION
In order to implement our intent, we have:
· A DFE validated scheme of work that teaches specific, relevant and ambitious vocabulary (Essential Letters and Sounds)
· A cohesive and consistent approach to teaching phonics, where daily sessions follow the same structure
· Ensured that staff are equipped with the necessary professional development to deliver our curriculum
· Daily Phonics sessions in Early Years, Key Stage 1 and for some KS2 children. Ensuring the children learn the 44 phonemes of the English language
· A progressive scheme of work where the teaching of phonics begins in Reception and progresses with the children at a sustained pace.
· Children improve their ability to segment and blend sounds, and their ability to apply this knowledge into their reading and writing
· Small and focussed group teaching to target children’s specific next steps
· An assessment system that informs teaching
· Use appropriate ELS interventions to ensure children Keep Rather Than Catch Up
· Regular reading opportunities and story times for all children in school
· A Phonics Screening Check for Year 1 in the summer term and for those in Year 2 who need to resit
· An Early Reading Team who monitor teaching and learning to improve standards and outcomes
· A curriculum that meets the needs of all pupils (including SEND)

IMPACT
Through implementing the above:
· Pupils will be confident in their phonic knowledge
· Pupils will be able to blend and segment words confidently
· Pupils will pass the Phonics Screening Check
· A culture where a secure knowledge of phonic sounds enables reading for pleasure as part of our reading curriculum.