Phonics, Reading and Writing
Phonics Rationale
At Avalon School, we recognise the importance of giving all our students the opportunity to gain functional literacy skills. Research suggests that the most effective way for all students to learn to read is through a systematic synthetic phonics approach taught by direct instruction. In light of this at Avalon School, we use a combination of ‘Phase 1 through Twinkl’ and ‘Sounds-Write’ to teach pre-phonics and phonics respectively. This consistent approach across all Key-Stages ensures students are taught in a systematic and carefully structured way. Students progress through small cumulative steps, allowing for plenty of retrieval practice and application.
Reading Rationale
At Avalon School, we recognise the value of reading for pleasure in order to develop critical life-skills and prepare our students for adulthood. Our curriculum is designed to ensure the success of all learners through a differentiated approach with ambitious targets. Our themes cover a broad-range of age-appropriate, quality texts through which we teach decoding, fluency, comprehension and spelling, punctuation and grammar. Our approach to reading ensures students are given the opportunity to gain functional literacy by being able to derive meaning from visual and/or tactile representations such as objects, picture, symbols or written words and sensory stories. To encourage a love of reading, encouraging an exploration of a range of genre and to develop confidence in reading, we engage in daily reading sessions through D.E.A.R (Drop Everything and Read).
To read more about Avalon's Reading Policy click below.
Writing Rationale
At Avalon School, we recognise the importance of writing as a form of communication as well as giving students the ability to express themselves. It allows for creativity, expressing thoughts, ideas and feelings as well as being functional and allowing for greater independence in adulthood. Our curriculum is designed to ensure the success of all learners through a differentiated approach with ambitious targets. Our themes cover a broad-range of age-appropriate genres, through which we teach fine-motor skills, letter formation, composition and spelling, punctuation and grammar. Our approach to writing ensures students are given the opportunity to gain functional literacy by being able to write using symbols or text. To read more about Avalon's Writing Policy click below.