Intent

At St. Mary’s, we believe that phonics is the foundation of early reading and writing. Our aim is to ensure that all children develop the skills and confidence to become fluent, enthusiastic readers and writers from the very beginning of their school journey.

Implementation

We follow the DfE-validated and accredited Rocket Phonics scheme, developed by Rising Stars. This systematic synthetic phonics programme is taught with consistency and fidelity across EYFS and Key Stage 1, and is also used to support pupils in Key Stage 2 who need additional phonics intervention.

• Daily phonics lessons are taught in EYFS and KS1, using a clear progression of sounds and skills.
• Pupils are regularly assessed to ensure they are taught at the correct level and supported as needed.
• Reading books are fully aligned with the Rocket Phonics progression, ensuring children apply their phonics knowledge in context.
• Children who need further support continue to access phonics teaching in Key Stage 2, using Rocket Phonics resources.

Impact

Through consistent, high-quality phonics teaching, our children:

• Become confident in decoding unfamiliar words
• Develop fluency and automaticity in reading
• Build a strong foundation for writing and spelling
• Are well-prepared for the Phonics Screening Check in Year 1

Rocket Phonics is based on research-backed practice and supports our commitment to an inclusive and ambitious early reading curriculum.