Early Reading & Phonics – No Nonsense Phonics Skills

At Lovers’ Lane Primary and Nursery School we use the No Nonsense Phonics scheme to teach our children Early Reading and Phonics. The No Nonsense Phonics Skills programme offers a comprehensive, step-by-step approach to teaching reading, handwriting, and spelling. Developed by Debbie Hepplewhite, it guides teachers and children through carefully structured routines to master the complex English Alphabetic Code.

Each book in the series is rich in content, providing systematic phonics instruction, cumulative code, word practice, and meaningful texts. Children develop language comprehension, expand their vocabulary, and build spelling knowledge. High-frequency words, tricky words, and new letter-sound correspondences are gradually introduced throughout the programme. Mini-stories bring together all strands of learning.

Key Features

• Systematic and rigorous phonics teaching with a rich vocabulary.
• Handwriting instructions linked to the English Alphabetic Code and the alphabet.
• Application of phonics in reading and writing to deepen comprehension and inspire imagination.
• Active, ongoing assessment that engages learners.

 

Early Years and Key Stage 1

Phonics is taught systematically from Nursery through Key Stage 1 using this validated programme. The approach builds children’s speaking and listening skills while preparing them to read by developing phonic knowledge. It sets out a detailed sequence of teaching, beginning in Nursery and aiming for all children to be confident readers by age seven. Decodable books accompany lessons, enabling pupils to apply and practise their knowledge.

 

There are nine phases children progress through in the programme.

Nursery:

• Two adult-led Phase 1 sessions per week.
• An environment rich in activities supporting Phase 1 skills, such as singing, storytelling, and music.

Reception:

• Daily phonics lessons five times per week.
• Introduction of two new phonemes per week.
• One day focused on recognising the sound, the next on practising the grapheme.
• High-frequency (tricky) words incorporated regularly.

Key Stage 1:

• Daily small-group phonics lessons following the No Nonsense Phonics Skills programme.
• New graphemes were introduced alongside high-frequency and common exception words.
• Opportunities to read and write words in varied contexts.

 

Supporting Reading Fluency and Enjoyment

Our aim is to create fluent, confident readers with a love of books. Throughout EYFS and Key Stage 1, children read decodable books that align closely with phonics lessons. These texts enable children to practise the sounds they have learned, building confidence, understanding, and fluency. Due to the words being fully decodable, comprehension is maintained, helping all children experience success and develop enthusiasm for reading.

The decodable books include fiction, non-fiction, and poetry to expose children to a range of genres and broaden their reading experience.

At the end of Key Stage 1—or once they have completed the decodable scheme—pupils’ transition to the book banding system. After a half-termly assessment of fluency and comprehension, each child is assigned a colour band and self-selects books within that level for home reading. Comprehension skills are further developed through daily whole-class guided reading sessions. Regular assessments track progress, with the goal that children become ‘free readers’ by the end of Key Stage 1, able to confidently choose any book.

Alongside these texts, children also select a book purely for pleasure. This may be a book that is easier, more challenging, or simply one they are interested in. This choice nurtures a love of reading and broadens vocabulary and understanding. Pupils can choose from mini-libraries within their key stage, classroom book corners, and a wide range of genres, including fiction, non-fiction, comics, graphic novels, magazines, and newspapers.

 

Year 1 Phonics Screening

A video is available to provide more information about the Year 1 Phonics Screening Check Assessment.