Phonics Screening

What is the Phonics Screeing Check?n

Children complete a word-reading check at the end of Year 1 so that parents can be confident their children are being taught to read successfully.

Children read 40 words. It takes between two and five minutes.

If they do not manage to read 32 of the words, they are given extra support, and repeat the check at the end of Year 2.

The 'pass' mark of 32 is subject to change by the government and schools will be notified some time in June of this figure.

All children at Trinity CEVAP will be supported to learn phonics using the Active Learn Phonics Bug Programme.

Year 1 will take the Phonics Screening check in June 2024. Any pupils from year 2 who did not meet the standard last year will also take the Phonics Screening Check in June 2024.

Developing a Love of Reading at Trinity

Research specifically shows that the benefits of reading are more likely to be felt when reading takes place through free choice. The outcomes of reading will occur more often and more strongly if reading is enjoyable in the first instance. This is why the 'for pleasure' element of reading for pleasure is so important. Reading is not something that children should do in school; it needs to be an everyday part of our lives, something we choose to do at all ages. At Trinity Primary School we want to build a culture of reading for enjoyment that will develop a lifelong love of reading which could benefit children in so many ways. We recognise that reading for pleasure will encourage children to succeed both academically and socially.

At Trinity Primary we are all passionate to make a difference and promote this love of reading. We aim to empower children to explore the multitude of worlds beyond their own world. So how do we do this? First of all we aim to create a  whole school ethos, so that EVERYONE loves reading. Here are some of the things we do:

1. Class reading time

Reading to the class remains a priority.  Everyday, every class are read to by their teacher during a set time. 

2. Involving the community

At Trinity we love to involve our parents and parishioners. We aim to support parents with tips and techniques for helping children develop reading, comprehension skills and a love of reading.  

We send reading books home which not only can be read to parents but books which parents can read to their children, so that stories can be enjoyed together. A comprehensive recommended book list can be found on our website.

Our school has strong links with our local library.  We have found that authors visiting the school can inspire children to read books they might not previously have considered – and engage them with writing, too.  We work closely with Get Suffolk Reading and enjoy joint projects. 

3. Book donations/ Book Swaps

Throughout the year we have events whereby children can swap books.  If children can see a book they have brought in or recommended on the bookshelves or being enjoyed by their peers, it can really help them to appreciate the value of the enjoyment of books.  We have been grateful to receive money from The Friends of Trinity to replenish some of our bookshelves. 

4. World Book Day or other reading events:     

Like other schools around the world, we too celebrate World Book Day!  The children enjoy coming onto school dressed as their favourite character and we truly celebrate books that day.  Staff have fun dressing up too!  Such an event can give children a real reason for understanding characters, expressing preferences, talking about books they have enjoyed and hearing about books from their peers that they might not otherwise have chosen to read. And perhaps, most importantly, it enables them to see the power of a shared love of reading.

5. A reading environment

The EYFS and KS1 classrooms all have clearly thought out reading corners and much emphasis has been placed on not only how they look, but how accessible, welcoming they are and stocked up with good quality, appropriate books. Sometimes less is best!  KS2 enjoy w mindfulness corner where books can be read. 

We have a large library, with pupils in year 5 and 6 being able to take on the role of a librarian if they choose.