We bring this curriculum to life within our community, shaping learning experiences that build a strong sense of status, belonging and esteem in every child we serve. Through rich opportunities, high expectations and meaningful connections to the world around them, we aim to inspire confident, capable learners who feel valued and empowered to succeed.
At Waycroft Academy, we believe that learning to read is one of the most important foundations for future success. To give our children the very best start, we teach phonics using the Unlocking Letters and Sounds programme. This systematic and highly structured approach enables pupils to build strong early reading skills through clear progression, daily practice and consistent routines.
Our staff deliver engaging, carefully sequenced lessons that help children develop confidence in recognising sounds, blending for reading and segmenting for spelling. We ensure that every child is supported to keep up, with targeted interventions in place for those who need additional practice.
Through this approach, we aim to nurture enthusiastic, fluent readers who feel empowered, successful and excited about their reading journey.
Key vocabulary we use in phonics:
Accelerated Reader is a computer program that helps teachers manage and monitor your child’s independent reading practice. Children are introduced to this in Year 2 when they are confident in their phonetic reading ability. They will not be assigned books to read, meaning they can choose books that interest them. The children will read the book independently although an adult can support them by encouraging them with any words they find tricky or discussing the story with them. When finished, they will take a short quiz on a laptop or iPad in school (this may not be for all books, depending on how quickly pupils read them).
Accelerated Reader gives your child and their teacher feedback based on the quiz results, which your teacher can then use to help you set targets and direct ongoing reading practice.
Accelerated Reader uses a formula to give a book a level. A book level is determined by average sentence length, average word length and word difficulty level.
Their ZPD is the range of books that will challenge them without causing frustration or loss of motivation. They will receive a ZPD range after taking a Star Reading test. It is important that they read with a high degree of comprehension and within their ZPD.
At the beginning of the year, each class chooses their shared books for the year. The class teacher reads this to them daily, usually at the end of the day. It is often quite challenging and a higher level than they read at home independently. It is a good opportunity to discuss vocabulary and for the children to practise their reading skills.
