Up next
Al Ain English Speaking School
Why did we move to Monster Phonics? We looked at a number of the premier phonic schemes that were also DfE approved, and we were looking at comparing price lesson...
Number of children on roll: 360 children plus 52 nursery
Percentage of SEN: 14%
Percentage of FSM: 20%
Percentage of EAL: 63%
When did you implement Monster Phonics? January 2021
Phonics Screening Check Data
| 2018 | 89 |
| 2019 | 89 |
| 2020 | 82 internal |
| 2021 | 83 internal |
| 2022 | 97 |
General Questions
Why have you chosen Monster Phonics as your SSP?
Looked at a variety of schemes but MP stood out due to the colour coding and the monsters. Being a school with high EAL we felt we needed something that was going to give context for learning, and which would give the children additional memory cues to support retention of GPCs, HFWs and CEWs. It had a multisensory approach.
What made us different from other schemes?
What do you like best about the scheme?
All of the above but particularly the colour coding and how it links with the monsters for engagement. It just brings phonics to life!
How easy was the scheme to implement?
Very easy. We started in the Spring term, and it was easy to pick up the scheme using the progression charts for each year group.
How have the children engaged?
The children simply love Monster Phonics. They enjoy their phonics lessons and are now enthusiastic and eager to know which grapheme and which monster they are learning about each day. Engagement is high! Children love the reading books and are desperate for the next book.
What impact have you seen in your school?
It has had a huge impact, particular in terms of children’s engagement, enthusiasm, confidence and independence for reading and writing. This is reflected in the 2022 Phonics Screening Check pass rate of 97%. The monsters are now part of school, and the scheme is embedded.
Do you use the intervention? How is this used in school?
Interventions are used throughout school. We use the same day interventions for ‘keep up sessions’ for those children who have not achieved the daily learning objectives and met the success criteria. We also use these as whole class Phonics Boosts to reinforce GPCs and blending and segmenting skills on a daily basis. We have a dedicated highly experienced phonics teacher for working with the lowest 20% – this has been particularly effective following lockdown to support those children with gaps in their phonics knowledge and skills.
Do you use the reading scheme? How is this used in school?
We use the reading scheme in a variety of ways:
At the end of phonics session to extend and consolidate learning of a particular GPC.
Who is your favourite Monster?
It’s got to be the teacher – Green Froggy!
School specific (High EAL)
How has the programme supported children with EAL?
As above
Has it been easy to engage the parents with the scheme?
Parents have engaged with MP although following lockdown this is something as a school we are working to increase across all aspects. Parents have access to the MP website and clear links are posted on the school website homework pages for parents to access the weeks learning. Parents have commented on how well their child is reading and writing and how enthusiastic they are about their learning. Parents have particularly acknowledged this if they have had an older child come through school who was taught prior to MP.
Has the colour coding been used around school to support the children?
Colour coding is being used more and more around school for labelling, displays, outdoor learning environment, additional learning resources in other subjects etc.
Is there anything you can think of that would support these children further?
Teacher quotes
Please can you ask three teachers what they think of the scheme. The impact they have seen in the classroom. Have they had any wow moments?
| Name | Year group | Quote |
| Lisa McGarvey | KS1 Dedicated Intervention | The Y1 children love the monster phonics characters and actions. They make the words come to life when, especially SEND children, shout out ‘Is it Miss Oh No?!’ And are very pleased with themselves when it’s right! I find the colour coded graphemes really help when teaching the children alternative pronunciations and spellings! Anything that helps them to visualise our tricky language will always be a winner in my eyes! |
| Charlotte Holden | Year 1 | The children enjoy their lessons and respond well to the multi-sensory approach as they recall the actions, monsters and colours to support them on their lessons. They especially love watching the videos and enjoy reading the books – I always have children asking to take the books home to read with and to their families. Children recognise the graphemes within words quicker as they recall the colours even when the text is in black. As a teacher, it’s easy to follow and all resources are clearly organized on the website and accessible for pupils in the lesson. Children enjoy reading as they can decode because they have been taught a programme that works! |
| Shannon Lundqvist | Reception | After being exposed to some phonics schemes, Monster Phonics has stood out the most. I love the way the monsters and colours are connected to sounds which make it easier and engaging for children. A wow moment was seeing a child blend and read the word ‘wonderful’ independently! Monster phonics is a lesson that all of the children are excited to participate in. |
Future development
How do your teachers use the website?
Teachers tend to download all relevant documentation and resources prior to the teaching week to add any necessary learning objective slides to the PowerPoint or print off any resources needed. These align with planning meetings to ensure all staff within the year group are clear of learning objectives and outcomes for the week.
Are there any parts of the programme that you don’t use?
No, we use all elements of the programme.
What is your wish list, what would you like us to add? Can be online or offline resources
What parts would you improve?
Do you ever need to use anything from another scheme?
No
Do you have any other comments you would like to add?
Monster Phonics has been an invaluable to us. It has allowed us to develop a consistent approach to the teaching of phonics. The wealth of resources and the structure of the programme has allowed us to imbed Monster Phonics successfully in a short period of time.
Monster Phonics simply works! The pedagogy behind it, the colour coding, the monsters to add context and the multi-sensory nature of the programme has had a instant impact on children’s engagement and in turn their progress and attainment.
Why did we move to Monster Phonics? We looked at a number of the premier phonic schemes that were also DfE approved, and we were looking at comparing price lesson...
Child-Centred and Delivers Results
