Impact

Over the past 3 years, we have implemented the Rocket Phonics scheme into Reception and KS1; staff have received targeted phonics training which has empowered them to teach high quality phonics lessons, developing a broader understanding of the importance of phonics and how it impacts the whole school. There is a teacher leading the Phonics provision with a good understanding of the strengths and areas for development in Phonics at Bearbrook. Children are reading books that match their phonics ability meaning their reading attainment, and progress is increasing.

In The Den and Reception, the First Steps programme has been introduced for children with SEND; this is giving them the ability to hear and identify phonemes. We have interventions taking place 3 times per week for children in Year 1, with a particular focus on decoding and blending; these have had a positive impact as a result with 76% of children passing the Phonic Screening Check (PSC) last year. The lowest 20% of children in Year 1 have targeted teaching specifically for their needs; the impact of this has been that they have made good progress and close the gap in their learning. Interventions from Year 2 to Year 6 are also in place for particular children who require support in early reading, which will develop their ability to access more of the curriculum.