B.  Make a Strong Start in Reception

Reception teachers:

1.     Timetable daily SSP lessons from the second week in Reception at the latest

2.     Ensure at least 20 minutes is given to teaching of phonics, reading and writing right from the start, building to approximately 1 hour a day by the end of the year (this may be one session or organised throughout the day)

3.     Follow the same SSP programme as Y1 and 2

4.     Know how to cope with ‘staggered’ starts Where there is a staggered start to schooling, there is a clear plan in place

5.     Identify pupils who are falling behind, by the third week in school

6.     Give all pupils practice in reading letter-sound correspondences and oral sound-blending a few times each day

7.     Give daily extra practice to pupils falling behind in a small group or individually

8.     Ensure extra practice matches the school’s SSP programme

9.     Display the necessary friezes and charts for the SSP programme at the right height

10.  Ensure all pupils sit where they can see the teacher and resources during SSP lessons

11.  Set up frequent meetings to show parents how to help their children practise reading sounds and words at home.

12.  Give pupils practice in applying phonics in their writing

13.  Complex written tasks are not introduced too early before pupils are equipped with the necessary knowledge and skills

14.  Pupils are given enough time to practice to become fluent with transcription (spelling and handwriting)