How we teach Phonics at Crampton

At Crampton, we follow  ‘Floppy’s Phonics’ programme, a systematic synthetic programme which teaches the letter/s-sound correspondences of the English alphabetic code explicitly and comprehensively for reading and spelling.  It includes the characters of Floppy the dog, Biff, Chip and Kipper and their family and friends, which engages children fully for the phonics teaching & learning, vocabulary enrichment and language comprehension.

Initially children's listening skills are developed through the use of music, environmental sounds and rhyme. During their journey through the Early Years Foundation Stage and Key Stage 1 they are taught the 44 phonemes (sounds) that make up all the sounds required for reading and spelling. These phonemes include digraphs, trigraphs and lead into spelling rules.

Children are taught the key skills of blending sounds together for reading and segmenting (breaking up) words for spelling. As the children grow in confidence and experience, they are introduced to alternative ways of representing the same sound, eg 'ee' can be represented as 'ee, as in bee', 'ea as in tea', 'e-e as in theme' and 'e’ as in we'. They also learn when to apply simple spelling rules and use verbs in the correct tense. 

We ensure that our teaching of phonics is rigorous, structured and enjoyable. Reception and Year 1 take part in a daily phonics lessons. Each lesson begins by rapidly revisiting previously taught sounds and codes before being taught the next new sound (on a two day cycle). They will use the Floppy’s Phonics Sound Books or interactive slides to look for words which contain this new sound and discuss the meaning of any new vocabulary. They will practise forming the new code, reading words and sentences which contain it and complete spelling games too. This learning will transfer into their daily reading and writing lessons so children can apply and consolidate the new sound and code.

Reading Books

At Crampton School, as part of our commitment to literacy development, each child is provided with a selection of books tailored to their individual phonics level. These include a benchmark levelled book to track progress, a phonetically decodable book aligned with their current phonics stage, and a delightful book for pure reading enjoyment.

We understand the importance of instilling strong phonics skills, and our phonetically decodable books are designed to reinforce these skills in an engaging and accessible manner. Additionally, we recognize the importance of nurturing a love for reading beyond phonics instruction. Hence, our students also receive a book for pleasure, encouraging them to explore stories, characters, and worlds that captivate their imagination.

To further enhance accessibility, we provide online resources through platforms such as Floppy Phonics and Oxford Reading Tree. These digital tools complement our physical book offerings, ensuring that students have a diverse range of reading materials at their fingertips. By combining structured phonics instruction with opportunities for independent reading and enjoyment, we aim to cultivate lifelong readers who are confident and enthusiastic about exploring the world of literature.

For selected Key Stage 1 pupils, we offer targeted reading interventions, including the 'Reading Recovery' program. This personalised intervention is designed to provide intensive support for children who may benefit from additional assistance in developing their reading skills. Through one-on-one sessions with a specially trained teacher, children at Crampton receive tailored instruction and support to address their individual needs, making accelerated progress and building confidence in their reading abilities.

In addition to reading recovery, we recognise the significance of addressing specific word-level challenges to children moving into KS2.  To cater to this, we implement word interventions aimed at enhancing vocabulary and word recognition skills. These interventions are carefully crafted to target areas where students may need additional support. Moreover, our phonics interventions are structured to provide focused and systematic instruction, catering to the diverse learning styles and needs of each child. Whether addressing decoding difficulties, reinforcing phonemic awareness, or supporting spelling proficiency, our interventions are tailored to bridge gaps and promote sustained progress.