English

How are we teaching this subject?

Our pupils begin their journey with Early Reading. All Pupils in Reception and Key Stage 1 take part in daily phonics lessons using the Twinkl. approach. This synthetic phonics programme is used to teach pupils how to sound out and blend letters to read words – a skill referred to as decoding. The structured teaching begins in reception and pupils complete the programme in Year 2. This leads them towards successfully reading with fluency and expression, with the expectation that by the end of Year 1 pupils will sit the Phonics Screening Test which is made up of 20 real words and 20 nonsense words. Throughout the Early Reading approach, the children’s understanding of phonics is assessed, and pupils are placed in groups according to which sounds they need to learn to move their reading forward. The children are regularly assessed to give them targeted support to help them read words with greater confidence.

Recognising that phonics is only part of the process of developing reading, as children move to Key Stage 2, they are introduced to key Reading Skills which are taught daily in a whole class approach. Within this approach, there is one session of explicit teaching of a skill and the following lessons focus on the reading skill-based activity and a comprehension-based activity where the children can consolidate their learning of the reading skill, they have learnt that week. Fluency and a love of reading are promoted through each pupil’s opportunity to access the library weekly and read to their class teacher during the week. Also, children are given the opportunity within a reading lesson for paired reading, where they are given the chance to discuss books, practise their fluency

At Forres, we recognise the value of modelling reading and each day children will be read to by an adult. This opportunity allows them to listen and simultaneously read along, and most importantly stretch their imagination and enjoy the wonders of a story.

Alongside Reading, we implement the HfL Essential Writing Programme from Reception to Year 6 which is a text-based approach to our English lessons. The programme allows pupils to be immersed into a variety of texts, linked to the pupils’ interests but also texts where they can see themselves. Writing for purpose is a pivotal part of our pupils’ learning.

Built into our English curriculum are discrete weekly spelling lessons taught for 30 minutes each week.

We are also implementing our progressive handwriting scheme, using our own policy and Letter Join. Pupils can use and apply their knowledge and skills throughout the week’s lessons and in a range of foundation subjects across the curriculum.

How do we know our pupils are succeeding?

Our goal by the end of pupils' time at Forres Primary Academy is to be literate, reading with fluency and expression, able to write for a range of purposes and audiences and ensure that all these skills are transferable into their next phase of education. We also aim to instil a love of reading and writing in all pupils throughout their time at Forres Primary Academy.

Twinkl Phonics

Phonics at Forres

At Forres we recognise the importance of early reading and the impact it has on children's learning development and confidence. Children learn the English alphabetic code: first they learn one way to read the 40+ sounds and blend these sounds into words, then learn to read the same sounds with alternative graphemes. This systematic approach to phonics ensures that all children feel successful and learn to read at a good pace.

Structure and groupings

Phonics takes place 5 times a week 9am-9.40am.

All groups follow a specific structure of:

Revisit and Review - Teach - Practise - Apply - Follow up and Assessment

All children in groups will be matched a rhino readers book to take home weekly that is matched to their reading ability. We believe this gives children the chance to practise the sounds they have been taught.

Additional phonics teaching and structured keep up sessions take place in all year groups.

Training and support for staff

In order to successfully embed Twinkl Phonics, all staff have had phonics training in September 2025.

Staff have yearly virtual refreshers for their training and stay up to date with changes.

A regularly coaching and training session takes place from our phonics lead.

Assessment

Half termly assessments are conducted. These assessments ensure children have the opportunity to move through the programme at pace and can continuously be challenged with new sounds, words and reading books.

The assessment also gives a clear indication of which children need further support and where gaps in sound knowledge are apparent. A pace for reading is monitored through a timed read to assess fluency and accuracy as children move through the phonics programme. Once a child is reading fluently and with expression they will leave the phonics programme and start guided reading sessions. Alongside the Twinkl phonics assessments as a school we assess the children in year 1 and 2 (retakes) as part of the DFE phonics screening paper. Children will complete a past screening paper 3 times before sitting the Phonics Screening Test in June. This gives us a clear insight into children's ability to segment and blend clearly especially when reading alien words. All of our assessments are collated and shared with the relevant teaching staff to ensure there is a clear focus and recap on particular sounds. This data is then shared further with SLT where current actions and next steps are discussed.

Parental Support

We have a phonics parent meeting at the beginning of each year, where we introduce Twinkl phonics and share the sequence of learning and expectations. Modelling sounds plays a huge role in showing parents and carer that using sounds instead of letter names supports children’s reading and spellings.

We also hold reading workshops with parents where we share the importance of phonics and how it supports children to read.

Phonics around school

Throughout the day it is a valuable time to use phonics flashcards to constantly repeat and refresh children's memory with sounds. Phonics displays in classrooms and in corridors constantly reinforce Twinkl phonics showcasing flashcards, tricky word stars and speedy green words. In all lessons phonics is reinforced through sound mats to support any writing in all subjects, teachers continuous model thinking out loud showing their ability to say the sound they need, pinch them and write them down.

SEND

Children who are supported in Positivity class have daily phonics lessons. Every child, where appropriate will take part in the phonics lessons structure but sessions will be focused on a sound using objects and songs, keeping the children active and engaged. Staff will assess children in the moment to find their challenge point and where needed will build additional time throughout the day to further teach and expose the children to the specific sounds

Level 1

Level 2

Level 3

Level 4

Level 5

Level 6

Phonics Screening

Parent Information

HfL Essential Writing

At Forres Primary Academy, we use HfL Essential Writing to implement our English lessons.

What is HfL Essential Writing?

HfL Essential Writing is a structured, literature-based writing programme that teaches children how to write effectively for real purposes, step by step.

How is HfL implemented?

The programme is built around a few core principles:

Writing for real purposes and audiences
(e.g. writing to inform, persuade, entertain—not just “because the teacher said so”)
Progressive learning
Skills (grammar, vocabulary, structure) are taught step-by-step and revisited over time
Using high-quality books
Children learn from real literature and imitate good writing techniques
Focus on the craft of writing
It teaches how writing works—not just what to write