Whitfield St James’ Achieves Prestigious ‘Champion School’ Status for Phonics Excellence

Whitfield St James’ CE (VC) Nursery and Primary School in Glossop is celebrating after becoming the first school in Derbyshire to be recognised as a Little Wandle Champion School.

Whitfield St James’ CE (VC) Nursery and Primary School in Glossop is celebrating after becoming the first school in Derbyshire to be recognised as a Little Wandle Champion School - a prestigious accreditation awarded to only 25 schools across the country.

This achievement marks Whitfield St James’ as a national leader in the teaching of phonics and early reading, setting the standard for excellence in literacy education. The school’s staff had to prove they not only met but exceeded 16 key standards of excellence in the teaching of early reading and phonics.

Headteacher Craig Woodward said:
“We are delighted to have achieved the Little Wandle Champion School accreditation. The staff have worked incredibly hard, undergoing intensive assessment to demonstrate our commitment to ensuring every child becomes a confident reader. This is a fantastic recognition of our dedication to early reading and phonics.”

With over 5,000 schools across the UK using the Little Wandle phonics programme, only a select few have earned Champion School status making Whitfield St James’ part of an elite group leading the way in literacy education.

Whitfield St James’ will now serve as an example for other schools both locally and nationally. The school will invite educators to see the programme in action, providing insights into best practices for teaching early reading and phonics.

“We will showcase not only our teaching of early reading and phonics but also our school’s reading culture and how a love of reading can open doors to the whole curriculum, ensuring that every child reaches their full potential,” added Mr. Woodward.

This award is a win for the Glossopdale community, highlighting a commitment to giving young learners the strongest possible start in their education.

Congratulations to Whitfield St James’ for leading the way in early literacy excellence!