What is Phase 4?

In Phase 4, children build on the sounds and skills they have already learnt, developing their ability to read and spell more complex words. They practise blending and segmenting words containing adjacent consonants, such as 'frog', 'stop' and 'milk', where two consonant sounds appear next to each other. Children also begin reading compound words, such as 'lunchbox' and 'windmill', by blending the sounds in each part of the word.

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Throughout Phase 4, children revisit previously learnt sounds and tricky words, building confidence and fluency in reading and writing. This phase focuses on applying existing phonics knowledge rather than introducing lots of new sounds.