English

Phonics (reading and spelling) 

At Westbrook Old Hall Primary school, we believe that all our children can become fluent readers and writers. This is why we teach reading through Little Wandle Letters and Sounds Revised, which is a systematic and synthetic phonics programme. We start teaching phonics in Reception and follow the Little Wandle Letters and Sounds Revised progression, which ensures children build on their growing knowledge of the alphabetic code, mastering phonics to read and spell as they move through school. 

As a result, all our children are able to tackle any unfamiliar words as they read. At Westbrook Old Hall Primary School, we also model the application of the alphabetic code through phonics in shared reading and writing, both inside and outside of the phonics lesson and across the curriculum. We have a strong focus on language development for our children because we know that speaking and listening are crucial skills for reading and writing in all subjects. 

To view the programme progression click on the blue highlighted text above. 

Little Wandle Letters and Sounds Revised has a web page specifically for supporting parents. Click on the link below to access the website.  

https://www.littlewandlelettersandsounds.org.uk/resources/for-parents/ 

Reading 

At Westbrook Old Hall Primary School, we value reading and recognise it as a crucial life skill. We understand the importance of reading in the process of developing pupils into independent learners. Reading is central to our ability to understand, interpret and communicate with one another. Furthermore, pupils who read on a regular basis, in school and at home, have a higher chance of fulfilling their potential. Therefore, we ensure that by the time children leave us, they read confidently for meaning and regularly enjoy reading for pleasure. Our readers are equipped with the tools to tackle unfamiliar vocabulary. We encourage our children to see themselves as readers for both pleasure and purpose. We therefore ensure that our pupils will have access to a wide range of reading opportunities both at school and at home. 

Across the school, we endeavour to promote a love of reading of all our children in many ways.  

These include: 

• A Patron of Reading 
• A Reading Champion 
• Cheshire Library bus visiting school for children to choose books to go into their class Library 
• Ordering resources from Cheshire Library service to bring books and topics to life 
• World Book Day activities 
• Children’s Book Week activities 
• Teacher’s and other adults regularly reading aloud stories, poems and rhymes  
• Class authors 
• Younger, less confident readers taking home a class library book for an adult to read to them  

Patron of Reading  

Curtis Jobling the author of ‘The sheep won’t sleep’, The Wereworld series and many other children’s books is our school's Patron of Reading. He regularly visits school to run workshops with the children, reading his stories, demonstrating how to draw characters and talking about being an author. The children are mesmerised listening and joining in with him, he is truly inspiring our authors of tomorrow! 

Reading Champion 

Mrs Lythall-Brennan is our Reading Champion, she recommends fantastic books for children to read each term. She visits each class to read every term. Classes also get the opportunity to loan these books to read in class! 

Supporting children at home 

At Westbrook Old Hall Primary school, we believe that all our children can become fluent readers and writers. This is why we teach early reading through Little Wandle Letters and Sounds Revised, which is a systematic and synthetic phonics programme. To ensure continuity of teaching and learning we also use Collins Big Cat Phonics for Little Wandle Letters and Sounds Revised reading books. Children read these books in school and at home. Little Wandle Letters and Sounds Revised has a web page specifically for supporting parents. Click on the link below to access the website. 

https://www.littlewandlelettersandsounds.org.uk/resources/for-parents/ 

As children progress in their reading journey they will start to read books from other publishers that are still at the correct level for them. Following this they will become a free reader being able to choose and read books from their own class library.  

For support with how to help your child access reading at home and how to make reading enjoyable, please see the websites and information leaflets below. 

Top tips to support your child's reading at home - BBC Bitesize 

Tips for reading with your child | BookTrust 

 

English