Curriculum

Phonics

Curriculum intent, implementation, and impact

About the subject

At Kickstart Academy, upon entry to the academy, students undergo a range of standardised assessments to identify any difficulties they may have in learning.

To meet the needs of those identified with reading difficulties, Kickstart have subscribed to two different Lexonik Literacy packages, including Lexonik Leap and Lexonik Flex.  Four members of the Kickstart team have been trained specifically by Lexonik to deliver these programmes.

Lexonik Leap is a phonics intervention which effectively resolves phonics gaps for learners who find literacy particularly challenging and those for whom English is not their first language.  Students with reading scores in the ‘below’ or ‘well below’ average range will be encouraged to complete this programme.

Lexonik Leap is a six-step phonics programme which rapidly progresses phonics, reading, spelling and oracy.  Activities are adaptable, allowing focus depending on the needs of the student.  The duration of the intervention is dictated by the level of need.  The programme is specifically designed with the older learner in mind to ensure instruction is age appropriate.  At Kickstart Academy this intervention is either delivered on a 1:1 basis or in very small groups.

Lexonik Flex is designed to rapidly improve reading, phonological awareness, vocabulary, spelling, and comprehension.  It targets students with standardised reading scores of ‘low average’ or above, and so can build upon the progress made by students who have participated in the Leap programme.

Lexonik Flex leverages metacognition and phased repetition to develop fluency and independence.  It is a fast, focused, and fun programme that stretches students, allowing them to achieve higher levels of success.  Again, activities are adaptable and can be tailored to the needs of the student.  This intervention is also delivered either on a 1:1 basis or in very small groups.

About the Curriculum intent, implementation, and impact

Intent

At Kickstart Academy, we are committed to ensure our students are equipped with competent reading skills upon transition into Post 16 education and training.   Our intent is to provide students with appropriate opportunities to develop their phonics knowledge, reading accuracy and reading comprehension skills.  We recognise reading as the gateway to learning and intend to use the Lexonik programmes to build skills, develop student confidence and, in turn, foster an enjoyment of reading.

Implementation

With programmes being delivered on a 1:1 or small group basis, we aim to create a safe and positive environment where students feel comfortable to engage and flourish.  Sessions can vary in length depending on tasks but will be implemented three times each week.  Working closely with key members of staff, we hope the interventions will not only develop key reading and literacy skills, but also help to build positive relationships between staff and students. 

Sessions have been designed to be fast-paced, fun and multisensory, encouraging rapid progress in reading.  Sessions include the modelling of new skills and concepts and provide students with instant feedback, allowing them to reflect on their own progress.  Over time they incorporate both short-term and long-term retrieval practice, as well as formative and summative assessments.

Impact

Whilst the implementation, and therefore impact, of the Lexonik programmes is in its infancy, Lexonik have countless positive testimonials confirming the effectiveness of their provisions.  There have also been successful independent impact evaluation studies completed, including one evaluation by the National Literacy Trust.  Their report (October 2022) confirms that the programmes successfully improve students’ decoding skills.  The report also confirms that Lexonik improves the confidence, independence and resilience of many students who complete the programme.

When students complete the programmes, their reading skills will be reassessed, and Kickstart Academy will complete their own evaluations of the efficiency of the provision.

We soon hope to develop at home resources that parents can use to support the development of their child’s reading.  We also aim to embed skills taught during the intervention sessions through curriculum planning, subject specific vocabulary development and the academy’s marking policy.

 

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