Preparing for a Strong Start in September

At the heart of everything we do is a simple goal: we want every child to have the very best chance of learning to read as quickly and effectively as possible. Reading opens up new worlds for children—unlocking imagination, knowledge, and confidence. A strong finish to this academic year will lay the essential foundation for a strong start in the next.

To ensure we hit the ground running in September, we need a clear, shared plan that’s ready to implement from day one. Here are some key areas to focus on over the coming weeks:

Refining Your SSP Approach

What is your current focus for SSP (Systematic Synthetic Phonics) teaching?
Do all staff understand the expected progress milestones for pupils by the end of the year?
Have you identified pupils who are behind expected levels, and do you have clear, targeted interventions in place?
Which additional daily practices will have the biggest impact on pupil progress?

It’s vital to continue prioritising and protecting time for interventions. Keep up momentum with coaching, modelling, and ongoing practice.

For Settings with Nursery Provision

Nursery is a crucial stage for early preparation. Follow your SSP programme guidance closely. Use this time to:

Model and practise phonics routines
Introduce visuals linked to your programme
Embed oral blending in daily interactions

During home visits or new-starter meetings, emphasise to parents and carers how important it is to read and talk about stories at home.

End-of-Year Assessments

Ensure your assessments align with your SSP programme guidance and leave enough time to:

Analyse the results carefully
Use insights to inform your September teaching
Share outcomes and next steps with all relevant staff

Take a moment to reflect: What has worked well this year? What barriers have you faced, and how can these be addressed in your planning for next year?

Staffing, Timetabling, and Resources

Confirm any changes to staffing and ensure training is in place—especially for staff new to a year group or key stage
Develop a clear plan for staffing, lesson delivery, and interventions from day one in September
Review your phonics and reading spaces—are they calm, well-resourced, and clearly displayed for children?
Complete a resource audit and ensure everything is organised and ready for use

Reception and Year 1: Starting Strong

Start phonics teaching in Reception from week one — don’t delay!
Ensure all staff know the focus sounds and expected progress for Autumn 1
Set up systems to track progress weekly and identify pupils falling behind early
In Year 1, use Reception’s end-of-year assessments to plan teaching, train staff, and prepare interventions and resources in advance

Supporting and Informing Parents

Plan how you will keep parents informed of their child’s reading journey.
Plan to share the schools approach to phonics and reading with new Reception parents and as a refresher with KS1-KS2 parents.
Consider a term-by-term plan that covers oral blending, sound progression, word reading, and fluency. This can be done through workshops, videos, or short updates.
For parents of children who are behind expected levels, consider offering additional support and guidance.

We hope this guide helps you feel confident and prepared for September. For more ideas and support, visit our website: Wensum English Hub