Levels 4A and 4B complete the Phase 2 phoneme set. Children are introduced to less common letters and special spellings such as qu. By the end of this stage, children can read and spell a wide range of simple words using known sounds.
Levels 4A & 4B
Letters & Sounds – Set 4
Levels 4A and 4B mark an important step in children’s phonics development. At this stage, children learn additional letter sounds, including less common sounds and special letter combinations. This expands their decoding ability and allows them to read a broader range of simple words with confidence and accuracy.
Learning continues to be supported by interactive phonics games on iOS and Android, ensuring consistent practice and clear progression.
Completion of Levels 1A–3B, or equivalent phonics knowledge, is recommended.
What Will My Child Learn in Level 4A & 4B?
In Levels 4A and 4B, children are introduced to new letter sounds and special sound patterns that appear frequently in early reading.
Letters & Sounds Covered
• Level 4A: j, v, w, x
• Level 4B: y, z, zz, qu
Children learn to:
• Recognise and pronounce new letter sounds accurately
• Understand that some sounds can be written using special letter combinations (e.g. qu, zz)
• Blend sounds to read more varied words
• Apply their phonics knowledge more independently
Key Skills Your Child Will Develop
By the end of these levels, your child will be able to:
• Decode words containing a wider range of sounds
• Read words with greater confidence and fewer pauses
• Recognise and apply special sound patterns correctly
• Strengthen early reading fluency and accuracy
These skills help children move toward more independent and confident reading.
Learning Through Games & Practice
All sounds introduced in Levels 4A and 4B are reinforced through interactive games and guided activities on iOS and Android.
Children practise by:
• Identifying and matching sounds to letters and letter groups
• Blending sounds to read words
• Repeating activities that reinforce accuracy and automaticity
The structured, game-based approach keeps children motivated while ensuring steady progress.
Who Is This Level For?
• Children who have completed Levels 1A–3B
• Early readers who can blend sounds confidently
• Children ready to learn less common and special sound patterns
These levels are suitable for children transitioning from basic phonics into more confident early reading.
Why These Levels Are Important
Levels 4A and 4B complete the core set of early letter sounds and introduce important sound combinations used frequently in reading. Mastering these sounds ensures children have a solid phonics base, preparing them for more complex reading, spelling, and comprehension in later stages.
Please note: The pricing plans below apply only to Phase 3 (Levels 4A & 4B). Children will learn the following graphemes and phonemes: j, v, w, x, y, z, zz, qu, with regular review sessions built in. This phase is typically taught over 11 sessions, each lasting 30–40 minutes: 8 teaching sessions plus 3 dedicated review sessions to support consolidation and confidence.
