“The more that you read, the more things you will know. The more that you learn, the more places you’ll go.”
― Dr. Seuss, I Can Read with My Eyes Shut!
Phonics and Early Reading at Sunnyside Academy
At Sunnyside we are passionate about giving every child the very best start in their reading journey. Our approach to phonics and early reading is inclusive, engaging, and designed to instil both skill and a lifelong love of reading.
We use the Sounds-Write phonics programme, a highly effective, evidence-based approach that supports children in learning to read and spell with confidence. Carefully structured and consistently delivered across the school, Sounds-Write enables all pupils to make strong progress, from their very first sounds to fluent reading.
What makes our approach special is our commitment to accessibility for every child. We ensure that reading is fully inclusive, with tailored support for pupils with SEND, and specific adaptations for those who are visually impaired or blind. Where children need a little extra support, we provide targeted interventions through pre-teach and post-teach sessions, helping them to stay on track and build confidence.
Reading is woven through the fabric of our school life. We promote a deep love of books and storytelling through regular story times, exciting author visits, book swaps, and engaging library sessions. Our classrooms each have beautiful reading areas, and our unique initiatives, such as teacher swaps for story reading and Year 6 pupils reading to our youngest children, create a strong, shared culture of reading for pleasure.
The impact of this rich early reading environment is far-reaching. Children grow not only in their reading ability but in their confidence, enjoyment, and enthusiasm for learning. These early experiences set a strong foundation for future academic success and nurture a love of reading that we hope will last a lifetime.
We are proud of our early reading provision, and prouder still of the happy, confident readers it helps us to grow.