For students who scored lower in phonics
How this helps
Phonics programs provide a consistent and structured approach to teaching phonics, which is especially beneficial for students who require extra support. By following a carefully designed curriculum, these programs ensure that students receive comprehensive instruction that covers all the essential phonics skills needed for reading success.
Recommended!
Sounds-Write is a structured phonics programme suitable for children from Reception to Year 3. It focuses on synthetic phonics, teaching students to blend and segment sounds to help with reading and spelling. The program provides intensive support for children who are struggling with decoding and spelling.
Pros
The systematic, sequential instruction of phonics establishes a robust base in reading capabilities. Especially advantageous for kids requiring extra assistance with deciphering and spelling.
It provides thorough assessments at each level.
Cons
The program requires regular, consistent practice to be most effective, which may be challenging in busy school schedules.
While great for early years, its effectiveness reduces as children grow older and move on to more complex reading skills.
Recommended!
Toe by Toe is a highly structured, step-by-step reading program designed for students aged 7 and above. It focuses on phonics, blending, and decoding skills and can be used with struggling readers or those with dyslexia. It is often used in one-on-one settings with parents, teachers, or tutors.
Pros
Breaks reading down into manageable, step-by-step activities that ensure mastery of each skill.
Well-suited for children with specific reading difficulties like dyslexia.
Can be delivered by non-specialists
Cons
The structured approach can feel repetitive, which might not engage all learners.
Impact on spelling is not as good as reading.
Designed for thoroughness, so it may take a longer time to see significant progress.
Requires one-on-one attention
Recommended!
An engaging, multi-sensory phonics program that uses actions, songs, and games to teach reading and writing skills. It’s particularly effective for younger students but can be adapted for older learners as well.
Pros
Uses actions, songs, and games, which can make learning phonics fun and engaging for young children.
Multi-sensory approach helps reinforce learning through sight, sound, and movement.
Easy to adapt for individual or group learning, making it flexible for different classroom environments.
Cons
Younger learners may love the playful approach, but it might not suit older students as they may find the activities too childish.
Requires consistent practice and repetition.
Teachers need to be well-trained in the multi-sensory methods to deliver the program effectively.
Recommended!
A comprehensive phonics program that integrates reading, writing, and spelling instruction. It’s designed to support learners at various levels, offering targeted strategies for those who need more intensive instruction.
Pros
Combines reading, writing, and spelling in one comprehensive program, giving students well-rounded literacy support.
Targets different levels of learners, making it effective for both struggling readers and more advanced students.
There is a "catch up" programme called Fresh Start designed for secondary learners
Provides clear structure and progression, helping students move through phonics stages smoothly.
Cons
Requires significant teacher training and consistent delivery to ensure results.
Can be time-consuming in busy school schedules, as it demands frequent practice and follow-up.
The structured nature may feel rigid for some learners who prefer more flexible learning approaches.
The assessments are based on reading, so children may be moved up from a level if they have achieved the reading of that level, but not the spelling.
Recommended!
Card-and-stand kits for building words in a structured phonics sequence.
Pros
Makes learning hands-on and visual, helping children connect sounds to letters
Encourageshigh repetition without worksheets.
Strongly supports segment → build → write, which reinforces spelling and decoding
Easy to adapt for short, focused 1:1 sessions
Cons
Requires adult guidance to ensure correct sound–letter mapping
Can feel repetitive if not varied with games or dictation
Needs consistency to be effective over time
Recommended!
Kits used to build sentences using high-frequency and decodable words.
Pros
Helps children move from single words to full sentences
Reinforces capital letters, spacing, and punctuation.
Supports dictation and sentence reconstruction, strengthening memory and fluency.
Can be adapted for targeted 1:1 practice
Cons
May be less engaging for children who are still struggling at the word level
Works best when children already have basic phonics knowledge
Can require more setup and adult direction
Recommended!
Illustrated phonics card games focusing on alternative spellings, designed for catch-up learners.
Pros
For older children who need phonics support
Encourages quick, repeated practice without feeling like formal work
Targets specific spelling patterns (GPCs) commonly needed in KS2
Great for short 1:1 sessions or end-of-session reinforcement
Cons
Less structured than full phonics programmes (works best as a supplement)
May not provide enough support for children with significant decoding difficulties.
Requires adult input to track errors and guide learning.
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