PHONICS TEACHING

Sounds-Write is a quality first phonics programme. Its purpose is to provide classroom professionals with a comprehensive system with which to teach reading, spelling and writing. At Holy Cross, it is taught in Years 1 and 2 and fine-tuned throughout the rest of Key Stage 2.

Sounds Write is designed for the teaching of discrete, daily sessions, progressing from simple to more complex phonic knowledge and skills and covering all the major sound/spelling correspondences. We believe that the alphabetic principle is also taught most successfully by engaging young learners in vigorous, interactive and enjoyable phonics activities that are also situated within a language-rich curriculum.

Throughout, Sounds Write promotes the use of multi-sensory engagement with the materials pupils are working with in a manner that is commensurate with the level and abilities of the children being taught. Visual, auditory and kinaesthetic activities are at all times combined simultaneously to promote learning.

In addition to being multi-sensory, the Sounds Write programme has pace and utilises an array of stimulating lessons and resources. It enables teachers to differentiate the challenges placed before the learner in order to meet their individual needs.