Children at Burley and Woodhead CE Primary have shared their excitement at being involved in filming their phonics lessons to share with thousands of teachers all over the country.

Burley and Woodhead CE Primary was one of the first four schools in the country to become a Little Wandle Champion School, sharing outstanding practice in phonics and early reading with schools across the country.

As the first Champion School in the North of England, the team have hosted live events, led professional development for teachers and supported the development of aspects of the programme.

As part of their role as a Champion School, the Little Wandle team asked to come and film Y1 teacher, Abigail Haddy, teaching phonics lessons to her class.

Sarah Scott, English Lead at the school, said: “Mrs Haddy is a phonics lead specialist and the team at Little Wandle are keen to share her outstanding practice with the over 4000 schools nationwide that now follow the Little Wandle phonics programme.”

The school was recognised for its exceptional teaching of phonics and early reading in their latest Ofsted inspection in November 2022. The report summarised, “the teaching of early reading and phonics is exceptional. Before children even start school, leaders contact families and encourage children to share books with their parents. Children in Reception are given a reading book and a ‘sharing book’ straightaway. Leaders are determined that all pupils develop ‘the skill and the will’ to become lifelong readers... Leaders set an ambitious pace for moving pupils through the challenging and engaging ‘reading spine’....Pupils devour these rich and diverse texts..”

Joanne Siddall, Headteacher at the school said: “We are delighted that the exceptional practice we have here in school is going to benefit so many other schools and children.”