Essential Letters and Sounds

Essential Letters and Sounds is an affordable, easy-to-use, DfE validated phonics programme that gets all children reading quickly. Developed by teachers from Knowledge Schools Trust, Essential Letters and Sounds helps schools deliver effective phonics teaching based on Letters and Sounds (2007):

• Works with the decodable books you may already have in your classroom
• A structured approach to teaching phonics that gives children and teachers consistency and security
• Supports children to keep up so they don’t have to catch up

Essential Letters and Sounds Decodable Books

ELS is published by Oxford University Press and supported by their comprehensive set of fully decodable books. Oxford University Press’ Wordsparks, Project X, Hero Academy and Little Blending Books have been expertly matched to each week of teaching. If you purchase your books from Badger Learning they will be supplied fitted with protective jackets at no extra cost, meaning your books will last longer and are easy to clean.

Essential Letters and Sounds Grapheme Flashcards

Essential Letters and Sounds’ grapheme flashcards support children as they learn the GPCs within the programme. Through mnemonics and rhymes children are taught letter formation and given examples of the sound within words. Our flashcards also support the introduction of new vocabulary through clear illustrations and are supported by teacher explanation.

Essential Letters and Sounds Activity Workbooks

There are 4 Activity workbooks children will require through out the programme:

• Activity Book 1– Reception Autumn 1, Phase 2
• Activity Book 2 – Reception Autumn 2, Phase 3
• Activity Book 3– Reception Spring 1, Phase 3-4 and Reception Spring 2, Phase3/4 harder to read and spell words
• Activity Book 4– Year 1, Phase 4 and 5

Essential Letters and Sounds Friezes

Essential Letters and Sounds wall frieze can be used in any classroom. They have specifically designed to support the teaching of the GPCs appearing in each year group.

Essential Letters and Sounds Teaching Subscription

The online teaching subscription is available to purchase directly from Oxford University Press. You can find details of the ELS teaching subscription at essentiallettersandsounds.org

Essential Letters and Sounds Training

Training is delivered by the experts from Knowledge Schools Trust. You can find details of the ELS training programme at essentiallettersandsounds.org/teacher-training