Why Phonics Matters from the Very Beginning

“Phonics teaches me everything to write and read. I love to hold the sentence my head and write it... Phonics makes me smart!”  Kyra, FS2

What an insightful comment from one of our amazing children in FS!  In primary education, strong foundations in reading, particularly through phonics, are absolutely crucial.  Early phonics success is not just a short-term achievement for young children,it strongly predicts future learning across the whole of their education.

The Importance of Early Reading

Reading is the gateway to all learning. When children develop confidence in decoding words, they move from ‘learning to read’ to ‘reading to learn’. Phonics provides a structured, reliable approach that helps children tackle unfamiliar words independently, building confidence and resilience.

Why Phonics Outcomes Matter

Strong phonics results reflect secure early reading skills and come about as a result of excellent teaching, using research-based methods. Last year, 87% of our students were successful in the Year 1 phonics screening, which is our best-ever set of outcomes and places us well above the UK national average, an achievement made possible through the combined efforts of staff, students and families.This outcome is particularly remarkable when you consider how many of our children have English as an additional language.

Children who succeed in phonics become fluent readers earlier, leading to stronger comprehension, vocabulary and a genuine love of reading, which in turn supports achievement across all subjects.

Effective phonics teaching also results in greater self-esteem, independence, and a positive attitude to learning. Reading widely fosters empathy, curiosity, and creativity, all of which are key elements of both academic and personal growth.

Phonics Learning at BIS Abu Dhabi

Did you know that at BIS Abu Dhabi, students in FS2, Year 1 and Year 2 receive a phonics lesson every morning of the week?

These daily sessions play a key role in developing early reading and writing skills. Our teachers deliver engaging, interactive lessons using research-based approaches to build children’s confidence in reading, spelling, writing, and speaking.

Through consistent practice and carefully planned activities, students are supported in applying their knowledge and becoming fluent, enthusiastic readers from an early age.

A Shared Responsibility

During and after the recent distance learning provision, many parents shared how valuable it was to hear and observe the strategies used by teachers in FS and Years 1 and 2. Parents expressed admiration for the teaching approaches and appreciated the opportunity to learn techniques that would help them support their children more effectively at home.

Success in phonics depends not only on high-quality teaching in school, but also on positive support at home through activities such as reading together and practising sounds. When schools and families work together, children receive a clear and consistent message that reading truly matters.

We encourage parents to take part in our phonics workshops held throughout the year, where we share practical strategies and insights into how phonics is taught in school, helping families feel confident in supporting their child’s learning at home.