#215 Developing Phonics – The Oaks Primary

Initially, we spoke to the team at Reading Eggs regarding their Fast Phonics app. We identified that this was the best option for our school and would help the most effective use of the grant we received from Ipswich Opportunity Area; we purchased enough licences so that every child in our two reception classes had their own account. Once we had purchased the licences, we informed parents/carers via Tapestry (our online learning hub) of their logins and how to use the app. To ensure our children were able to work from home, especially during lockdowns, we offered help videos which allowed parents/carers to support their children; we had already checked that all the children in reception had internet access at home. This was further supported by the fact that the app can be used on mobile phones and tablets too. To effectively support their children it was important that parents/carers had some technical awareness; we had some one-to-one conversations over the telephone to ensure they were able to access the app and, therefore, effectively help and support their children.

Once lockdown ended we were able to get the project running within school. We also used the grant to purchase iPads specifically to use within the school for children using the Fast Phonics App; these proved invaluable as they allowed one member of staff to supervise 5 or 6 children at any time – usually at the start of the school day. Through the use of funded headphones too, we ensured that children did not disturb each other unduly. Being in school also allowed us to “bulk-out” the number of sessions each week for those children who were not accessing the app from home as frequently or where they were not making the progress we expected.

One of best things about Fast Phonics is the ability it gives us to monitor children’s progress through the programme. Staff, parents/carers and the children themselves can see their progress and the amount they access the app. The app is set up so that children reach “peaks”; we have included a certificate scheme so that we can celebrate success one children reach these peaks.

In the future, we will get the parents/carers in to the school and talk them through the process and the app.

Our grant from Ipswich Opportunity Area covered the following:

• Licence costs £660 for 60 children
• iPad purchase £2961
• Other resources £210

The implementation of Fast Phonics has been a huge success, we have subsequently allocated some of our school budget to ensure we can continue with the licencing moving forward.