The PGCE trainees spent the day immersed in the teaching of early reading, beginning with a session led by the school’s reading leader on the principles behind its phonics programme and how it is delivered in the classroom.

They then observed a phonics lesson, shared favourite stories with small groups of children and listened to individual readers. Throughout the day, they joined in classroom activities, experiencing first-hand the approaches used to support reading development from the earliest years.

For the children, the visit was a chance to share their progress, enjoy stories with new people and talk about their learning. They responded with enthusiasm, making the most of the opportunity to show the trainees what they could do.

The experience also gave the trainees a practical insight into how phonics and early reading are taught, helping them build their knowledge and confidence as they prepare for their own teaching careers.

Reading is a key part of life at Whipton Barton Federation, part of the Ted Wragg Trust, where children are encouraged to enjoy books from their earliest years. Daily reading sessions, classroom libraries and shared stories help nurture that enthusiasm and make reading a natural part of the school day.

Louise Moretta, Executive Headteacher at Whipton Barton Federation, said:

“We were delighted to welcome the trainee teachers and give them the chance to see our approach to phonics and early reading in action. We’re very proud that our phonics results and the proportion of children achieving a good level of development by the end of Reception are above national averages. Our children loved sharing their stories and reading with new faces, and we’re grateful to our staff and pupils for making the day such a success. We’re passionate about helping every child discover the enjoyment of reading and develop the skills they need to become confident, lifelong readers.”

Mrs Anita Wood, Senior Lecturer in Education, University of Exeter, said:

“We are incredibly grateful to Whipton Barton School for welcoming our Exeter Primary PGCE students and giving them such a valuable opportunity to see phonics and early reading teaching in action. There is something really powerful about bringing together the theory students explore at university with the expertise and experience of teachers in the classroom. Experiences like this help our students develop their confidence and deepen their understanding. We are fortunate to work with schools like Whipton Barton, whose generosity and commitment play such an important role in preparing the next generation of teachers.”

Moira Marder, CEO of the Ted Wragg Trust, said:

“Strong schools are built on relationships and a shared sense of community. It’s great to see Whipton Barton working with the University of Exeter to support the next generation of teachers while keeping children’s learning at the heart of it all.”