Choose a school
Pupils on roll
Age group
FSM eligible
SEND/Support
EAL
FFT programmes used
Why did Rissington Primary School choose FFT Phonics Success for All?
The Rissington School is a one-form entry mainstream primary school operating across two sites, located two miles apart. Following a thorough review of several validated systematic synthetic phonics programmes, the school identified FFT Success for All Phonics as the most suitable scheme. As part of the Fischer Family Trust, the programme carried significant credibility, which reinforced the school’s decision to adopt it for such a crucial aspect of children's literacy development. Based on the Letters and Sounds framework, the scheme aligned closely with the curriculum previously delivered at the school.
FFT Success for All Phonics offers practical, effective resources that are readily accessible to all staff at any time. The school recognised that the programme was continually evolving. Additional components such as the reading catch-up programme, FFT Tutoring with the Lightning Squad, and the FFT Reading Assessment Programme were also influential in the decision to implement FFT Success for All Phonics for their pupils.
Teachers at Rissington Primary School
Implementing the programme
All staff at The Rissington School are fully trained in the FFT Success for All Phonics programme. The school has successfully implemented the programme from preschool, using First Steps to Phonics, through to Year 2, with FFT Spelling with the Jungle Club.
Evidence from lesson observations, teacher discussions, and moderation indicates that staff workload has significantly decreased since the introduction of FFT Success for All Phonics. The comprehensive and well-organised resources enable staff to deliver both FFT Success for All Phonics and FFT Routes to Reading with consistency, rigour, and fidelity. Since adopting the FFT Success for All Phonics programme, the school has seen a marked improvement in reading assessment across all year groups. Assessments have become more consistent and detailed. Their immediacy and clarity make them highly effective for informing next steps in teaching and learning. Gaps in understanding are quickly identified, allowing timely intervention. FFT Tutoring with the Lightning Squad provides targeted support, particularly for children in Key Stage 2.
Children’s guided reading follows a clear, progressive path through the FFT Routes to Reading programme. The school also benefits from the regular release of additional FFT programmes and as these follow a familiar format, they are straightforward to implement. Staff are further supported by accessible training, ensuring continued effective delivery.
Progress made
2024 Phonics Results
2025 Phonics Results
A spotlight on pupil progress at Rissington Primary School
Child A has been engaging with the First Steps into Phonics programme for the past eighteen months and has made remarkable progress. She is now able to recognise most phonemes and is beginning to read simple CVC (consonant-vowel-consonant) words. She can also write the initial sounds in words independently.
“I love phonics, and I can read – I’m ready for Big School!” Child A.
Child B joined the school in Year 2 in September 2024 after attending school abroad. She was unable to read in English when she arrived. Through consistent participation in phonics sessions, FFT Spelling with the Jungle Club, and FFT Tutoring with the Lightning Squad programme, she has developed both confidence and fluency in reading. Her latest FFT Reading Assessment Programme results show she is now performing well above age expectations.