PUPILS at Wanborough Primary School have been smiling from ear to ear this week after receiving a glowing letter from the minster of state for school standards congratulating them on their outstanding phonics results.

Nick Gibb MP penned a personal letter to the school after they achieved a 100 per cent pass rate – putting them in the top three per cent of all primary schools in the country.

In his letter, Mr Gibb congratulated the staff and said:

“Early fluency in decoding is a necessary first step in acquiring the key skill of reading. There is a substantial body of evidence demonstrating that systematic phonics is the most effective method for teaching children to read.

“We want to ensure that every child develops a firm grasp of phonics, which is why I was delighted to see your results.

“With 100 per cent of pupils at Wanborough Primary School reaching or exceeding the pass mark in the check, your school is in the top three per cent of all primary schools in the country.

“Your success in teaching phonics means your pupils are developing a firm foundation in reading, from which they can become increasingly fluent and develop a lifelong love of reading.

“Thank you for your work in this vital area of a child’s early education and congratulations again to you and your staff for all you have achieved.”

Phonics is taught alongside other teaching methods but its main aim is to enable beginner readers to decode new written words by sounding them out, or, in phonics terms, blending the sound-spelling patterns

Last month the Department for Education published provisional data on KS1 results which found that in all subjects, particularly in phonics, Swindon’s schools improved by five per cent, meaning pupils are now achieving the national average.

Wanborough Primary’s phonics results have continued to lead the way for other schools as they received a similar letter last year praising their 97 per cent results.

Deputy headteacher Lindsay Wood said she was thrilled when the letter came through the post to say they had achieved 100 per cent.

“Like anything this is a real celebration of the hard work that is put in our school at all times,” she said. “We feel that it is nice to be recognised for our successes and efforts in getting this achievement.

“This letter is for the hard work, dedication and experienced staff we have in KS1. We have a well-designed programme for pupils from the minute they start in reception because we want to give them that immediate start. We do have high expectations but we do it in a fun and immersive way.

“The children want to learn and they are so enthusiastic about it.

“We have managed to get this result by working hard while the goalposts have been changed by educational powers at be. We are not becoming complacent but we are striving for these high expectations.”