Phonics – No Nonsense Phonics Skills

At Peafield Lane Academy, phonics is taught systematically throughout EYFS and Key Stage 1 using the validated No Nonsense Phonics Skills programme. Our aim is for every child to develop the skills, confidence and fluency needed to become a successful reader.

The programme provides a clear, progressive approach to teaching the English Alphabetic Code, linking phonics with reading, spelling, handwriting, vocabulary and comprehension.

Phonics begins in Nursery through adult-led sessions and a language-rich environment. In Reception and Key Stage 1, children receive daily phonics teaching, progressively building their knowledge of phonemes, graphemes and tricky words.

Children read carefully matched decodable books, enabling them to practise the sounds they have been taught and develop accuracy, fluency and confidence. Once children are secure in phonics and have completed the decodable reading scheme, they progress to our wider reading system.

Our ultimate aim is to develop fluent, confident readers who understand what they read and develop a lifelong love of reading.

Reading Expectations

We believe that regular reading makes a real difference. Our expectation is simple: 10 minutes a day, 5 times a week.

Reading might mean reading independently, reading aloud to an adult, sharing a book together or listening to an adult read. Children learning through phonics should read their decodable book at least five times each week, as re-reading builds fluency, confidence and automaticity.

Every child has a Reading Diary, which helps home and school celebrate reading and build positive habits together. Parents and carers are encouraged to record and sign their child’s reading regularly.

Most importantly, we want reading to be enjoyable. Books, comics, poetry, magazines, graphic novels and non-fiction all count – we want every child to discover reading that captures their imagination.