Phase 5 Phonics (Part 1)

Part 1: Building Fluency With New Graphemes and Split Digraphs

Phase 5 Part 1 is where children begin extending their phonics knowledge beyond the earlier phases. During this stage, children are introduced to new graphemes for reading and spelling, including split digraphs, while continuing to strengthen fluency, confidence, and independence.

Children learn that some sounds can be represented in new ways and that longer words often require more careful decoding, blending, segmenting, and spelling application.

Children will be introduced to graphemes and spelling patterns such as:

• ay, ou, ie, ea, oy
• ir, ue, aw, wh
• ph, ew, oe, au
• ey
• split digraphs: ae, ee, ie, oe, u_e

As children progress through this part of Phase 5, they begin reading and spelling longer words, applying new graphemes in sentences, recognising tricky words, and building greater confidence when reading unfamiliar vocabulary.

This module has been carefully designed to strengthen decoding, fluency, spelling, comprehension, and reading confidence through structured teacher-led instruction, repetition, modelling, and guided application.

At QFE, we understand that children need time, structure, and repeated exposure to become secure readers. Phase 5 Part 1 focuses on helping children move beyond earlier phonics knowledge towards more flexible, fluent, and confident reading.

Every lesson is:

• carefully sequenced
• developmentally aligned
• teacher-led
• structured to build fluency gradually
• focused on understanding, not guessing
• designed to strengthen confidence alongside reading skill

Children are guided step-by-step through new graphemes and split digraphs using explicit teaching, repetition, modelling, fluency practice, reading application, and structured independent tasks.

The programme follows a consistent lesson structure to reduce overwhelm and help children feel secure as they move into more advanced phonics learning.

At QFE, we prioritise confidence before curriculum because children learn best when they feel safe, supported, and capable.

The purpose of this programme is to help children:

• learn new Phase 5 graphemes
• recognise and apply split digraphs
• strengthen blending and segmenting skills
• read longer phonics-based words with greater fluency
• apply taught graphemes when spelling
• improve automaticity and reading confidence
• develop sentence reading and writing skills
• strengthen comprehension and understanding during reading tasks
• build independence when reading unfamiliar words

The programme is carefully sequenced to ensure children revisit, apply, and consolidate learning regularly so that phonics knowledge becomes increasingly secure, fluent, and automatic over time.

By the end of this module, children will work towards being able to:

• recognise and read taught Phase 5 graphemes
• read and spell words containing ay, ou, ie, ea, oy, ir, ue, aw, wh, ph, ew, oe, au, and ey
• recognise and apply split digraphs ae, ee, ie, oe, and u_e
• blend and segment longer words with greater accuracy
• read decodable sentences and texts with improved fluency
• apply taught phonics knowledge in spelling and writing tasks
• recognise and practise taught tricky words
• answer basic comprehension and inference questions about texts
• develop greater independence and confidence during reading tasks

Live Zoom teaching in a structured, focused small-group setting.

Session details, reminders, and programme access inside your parent dashboard after enrolment.

The included workbook is a digital programme resource. It becomes downloadable in your parent dashboard exactly 48 hours before your scheduled programme starts.

QFE programmes are delivered live online through Zoom. Sessions are intentionally structured, focused, and clear so children can build understanding without overwhelm.

Live Zoom teaching with structured workbook or programme materials guidance