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FFT programmes used
Why did Mount Nod Primary School choose FFT Success for All Phonics?
The school chose FFT's Success for All Phonics because they needed to ensure a consistent approach to the teaching of phonics and early reading.
They wanted a scheme that provided good quality planning for both phonics and reading lessons. To be able to identify those children at risk of falling behind, leaders were looking for a rigorous assessment mechanism that gave them detailed assessment data.
FFT’s Reading Assessment Programme enabled staff to quickly identify the areas of weakness for a year group, a class, or an individual pupil. Staff were particularly impressed with the online reading catch-up programme, Tutoring with the Lightning Squad, finding the platform fun and engaging for the pupils.
Jo Gunn
Phonics Lead
FFT Success for All Phonics has breathed new life into the teaching of phonics and early reading at Mount Nod Primary.
We have seen an improvement in engagement and the rate of children’s progress has significantly increased. The children are aware of what being a fluent reader is and the skills they need to become a fluent reader.
It has been extremely rewarding observing pupils developing their reading skills, watching their confidence grow and hearing them enjoy reading.
Vicki Chubb
Year 1 Teacher
FFT works. This scheme has had great results during the first year of using it at Mount Nod. The children love the structure of the phonics lesson. 'Say it fast' and 'Break it down' have been a big hit in my classroom.
Watching the children grow in confidence and just 'have a go' has been the highlight for me.
Implementing the programme
Mount Nod Primary started their FFT Success for All Phonics training on the first INSET day in September 2022. Doing the training in one day and teaching the scheme a couple of weeks later, they found it was a lot to process and organise, but well worth the effort!
The school are now in their second year of teaching FFT Success for All Phonics in Reception and Year 1. Teachers are delighted with the progress that their Year 1 children made last year with their reading fluency. The improvement in their phonics check scores was noticeable, both in terms of the percentage of children who passed and in their scores.
pass increase after 10 months
latest pass rate
Reading progress made
Summer 2022
- Year 1 Phonics Screening Checks: 73% of children passed.
Summer 2023
- Year 1 Phonics Screening Checks: 83% of children passed.
Summer 2024
- Year 1 Phonics Screening Checks: 89% of children passed
Spotlight on pupil progress
Imogen has developed so much confidence in her reading since Mount Nod school has implemented FFT Success for All Phonics scheme.
As parents, we felt there was a clear sense of progression, moving through the sounds, and the fact that the book matched those sounds, meant that we had a better understanding of what we needed to focus on each week, to support Imogen. It was fantastic that the book Imogen was reading each week was accessible digitally, as well as the physical copy, particularly when she had forgotten her reading book! The decodable books have had the right amount of challenge, whilst broadening vocabulary, which has provided us with opportunities for discussion, building Imogen's understanding of the world around her.
As well as these things, the use of the Tutoring with the Lightning Squad intervention at the beginning of Year 1 allowed Imogen to consolidate and improve her knowledge from Reception, ensuring she was working at the right level for her. The clear information delivered from the programme has been empowering to us as parents, enabling us to fully understand the level our daughter is working at and noting areas we can support to further her knowledge at home.
Parent of Imogen, Year 1
Why is Mount Nod Primary School pleased with FFT Success for All Phonics?
Phonics Lead, Jo Gunn, highlights the benefits seen since using the phonics programme: