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Why did Victoria Road Primary choose FFT Success for All Phonics?
Victoria Road Primary School, in Runcorn, has committed to FFT Success for All Phonics since February 2022.
The school has seen firsthand the impact that FFT’s phonics programme can have. The programme’s systematic approach to the teaching of phonics has been highly effective in enabling their children to become confident, fluent readers who demonstrate increasing stamina and expression.
Their pupils have an exceptionally positive attitude to reading and see themselves as readers. Not only are they able to effectively decode books, which are perfectly matched to their phonic knowledge, but they are able to discuss what they have read in detail. The rich and ambitious vocabulary in the decodable books gives children the opportunity to discover and discuss new words in context and this has had a positive impact on their vocabulary and overall language development.
The school has found having Tutoring with the Lightning Squad included as part of their subscription to be valuable. It has enabled them to offer a programme of intervention that aligns perfectly with their phonics programme and means that they can ensure that no child is left behind.
Gemma Neal
Phonics Lead
After years of using Letters and Sounds, we made the switch to implement the FFT Success for All Phonics programme.
We prioritise phonics both in our daily timetables and staff CPD. We now have a team of highly skilled adults who effectively deliver the programme throughout the school. All our staff receive weekly CPD for phonics, drawing on the materials available on the Phonics Portal and including frequent, deliberate practice.
Because we have invested time and effort into the programme, we have seen firsthand the impact that it can have. We believe in the programme and want to support other schools to do the same.
FFT Success for All has revolutionised the teaching of phonics in our school. We have seen the impact, not only in our phonics data, which is well above national for 2021-2022, but in our reading progress scores and in the number of children who achieve age-related expectations in Year 1. Our Year 3 children were a very challenging cohort, with high levels of need and deprivation. However, they have made great progress and all pupils passed the Phonics Screening Check at the end of KS1. We have also seen a really positive impact on teacher workload.”
Implementing the programme
This year, after many years of using Letters and Sounds, the school has implemented the FFT Success for All Phonics programme. They have invested heavily in resources to ensure fidelity to the programme and are actively advancing their work in phonics, reading, and spelling. Having seen the benefits of using FFT Success for All Phonics in EYFS and Year 1, the school was keen to adopt Routes to Reading and Spelling with the Jungle Club for children in Years 2 and 3.
90%
Year 2 Phonics Screening 2025
92%
Year 1 Phonics Screening 2025
92%
Year 1 Phonics Screening 2024
Reading progress made
The school implemented the scheme in February 2022 across Reception, then extended it into Year 1 in September 2022. Over these two years, the scheme has had a significant impact, with a 30% increase in the percentage of children passing the Phonics Screening Check.
Year 1 Phonics screening check scores:
2021-22: 63%
2022-23: 86%
2023-24: 92%
2024-25: 92%
Spotlight on pupil progress
Year 1 pupil
Year 1 pupil
Teacher comment:
The focus on fluency not only enhances reading proficiency but also instils confidence in pupils. Fun activities such as Quick Erase really help to do this in a way that engages all children.
Year 1 pupil
Reception pupil
Teacher comment:
This PPG child initially struggled with school and focusing during carpet time. The consistency and pace of the FFT Success For All Phonic lesson, along with the engaging texts, have significantly improved his focus during carpet time and overall engagement in reading. Teachers have found it truly remarkable to see his progress.
Why are Victoria Road Primary pleased with FFT Success for All Phonics?
Gemma Neal, Phonics Lead at the school, has observed significant benefits since the introduction of the phonics programme:
FFT Success for All Phonics has revolutionised the teaching of phonics in our school. We have seen the impact, not only in our phonics data, which is well above national, but in our reading progress scores. Last year, every child in Year 1 made expected progress in reading, with many exceeding their personal targets.
Our children see themselves as readers. They are confident and fluent, and they can skilfully decode unfamiliar words using their ever-increasing phonic knowledge. The books that they are presented with match their phonic knowledge perfectly and this means that they constantly and consistently experience success as readers. The new titles that have just been added to the shared reader catalogue will really support children who need to overlearn and revisit their learning.