GSO Test

Phonics and Reading

At Hempstead Schools Federation, we have developed our own systematic synthetic phonics programme called BURST.  This system has been designed to provide a cohesive whole-school approach, which threads phonics throughout the curriculum.  The system uses pictures and actions to provide a multisensory learning tool which teaches phonics in sequence, alongside actions and word-building tools which help the pupils learn the sounds and how to use them in their reading. 

We use reading bands that match the phonics being taught and these then progress through the infant school until most of our children are ready to be free readers as they start the junior school.

At the junior school, a small number of children may need to continue with phonics support and they are supported by the same systematic approach and appropriate books.

More about our approach to teaching reading across the Federation can be viewed through the following links:

Our approach to phonics

Approach to reading at the Infant School

Approach to reading at the Junior School