Parents peek into phonics lessons at Peacehaven Heights Academy

The first sessions held throughout March and April were a great success, giving parents of pupils the opportunity to observe first-hand how their child learns phonics, the key to reading, through the linguistic phonics programme Sounds Write.Visiting parents received a talk about Sounds Write, which is based on and structured around the sounds of speech. The learning journey develops pupils’ conceptual understanding to complex knowledge, with pupils gradually learning 175 ways of spelling the 44 sounds through a multi-sensory approach which includes saying, seeing, hearing and writing the sounds.

After receiving an overview of Peacehaven Heights Academy’s whole-school approach to phonics, parents were then able to observe their child’s phonics lesson in action, receiving a rare glimpse into how the school develops this vital foundation skill that is essential to future success.

One parent who attend their child’s Year 4 phonics lesson said: “The children were all engaged, confident, desperate to put their hands up and take part. It was wonderful to see them having fun and enjoying their learning!”

Additional phonics mornings have been scheduled in May for parents of pupils in Reception and Year 6. Year 6 had their phonics morning on the 17th of May. This is kicking off the academy’s long-term plan for every parent to be given an opportunity to attend learning observations that share what is taught in every subject. Workshops covering other foundation subjects including Whole Class Reading, will follow in the summer term. Further workshops are planned from September.

David Dowling, Head of Peacehaven Heights Academy, said: “Peacehaven Heights Academy takes pride in our open and collaborative relationship with our parents. We were thrilled to bring them inside the tent to witness how phonics teaching and learning is delivered.“Phonics is the foundation to reading and spelling. Children learn to decode and segment through daily high-quality phonic lessons. Parents welcomed the opportunity to learn about the mechanics of how their child is learning these skills and observe the process in action.”

Paul Glover, Chief Executive Officer of STEP Academy Trust, said: “STEP Academy Trust’s mission is to improve the life and chances of all children, no matter their circumstances. The teaching of foundation skills is at the absolute heart of this mission, setting students up for success throughout their school career and beyond.

“Thank you to the teachers and staff at Peacehaven Heights Academy for going above and beyond to make this wonderful initiative possible.”