High quality phonics teaching lies at the heart of our early education, securing the crucial skills of word recognition, that once mastered, enable children to read fluently. At St Michael’s reading is taught through a systematic programme of phonics. We follow ‘Essential Letters and Sounds’ which is a high-quality phonics programme endorsed by the DfE.  Children begin the Essential Letters and Sounds programme in Early Years. Our phonics policy provides a progression overview. The strategic teaching of phonics ensures that children are progressing through the different stages at the appropriate rate.  Targeted intervention groups support children who require further consolidation in Early Years, Key Stage One and Key Stage Two.