10/06/2026
Sturry CE Primary School first in Kent to gain national phonics award
A Canterbury primary school is celebrating a national accolade in early reading after being named a “Little Wandle Champion School” – the first school in Kent to earn this status.
Sturry Church of England Primary School received the recognition following a rigorous assessment on 3 June 2026, having met all 16 Standards of Excellence in the teaching of early reading and phonics. The title, awarded by the Little Wandle Letters and Sounds Revised programme, identifies schools that model exemplary practice in phonics and reading.
The achievement means Sturry will act as a hub for best practice in early reading. Staff at the school, which is part of The Stour Academy Trust, will now welcome teachers from across Kent and beyond to observe phonics lessons and share successful strategies, with the goal of raising literacy standards across the region. Sturry’s Headteacher, Michelle Mannings, said the accolade also recognises benefits for local families: “A strong start in reading gives children confidence and opens up learning in every subject. We’re proud that our approach is helping children here in our community, and are excited to help other schools do the same.”
Little Wandle is a government-validated phonics programme used by thousands of UK primary schools. Becoming a Champion School indicates that Sturry’s reading provision is among the very best nationally. To achieve the status, schools must foster a love of reading throughout the day, demonstrate high-quality phonics teaching and assessment, and show strong leadership commitment to every child’s reading success.
Headteacher Michelle Mannings called the award a “significant milestone” for the school. “It reflects the expertise, commitment and care shown by our staff every day,” she said. “Champion status gives us the opportunity to open our doors to colleagues from across Kent and beyond, to share what works well in our classrooms and to learn alongside others. We are proud to play a role in strengthening early reading practice across the Trust and supporting more schools to ensure that every child becomes a confident, capable reader.”
Rob Butterworth
Digital Operations Lead
The Stour Academy Trust|01227 931560
