Levels 8A and 8B introduce Phase 5 learning, where children meet new graphemes for sounds they already know. The focus is on recognising alternative spellings in reading and applying existing phonics knowledge to unfamiliar words.
Levels 8A & 8B
New Graphemes for Reading – Set 1
Levels 8A and 8B introduce children to new graphemes used for reading. At this stage, children learn alternative spellings and less common letter combinations that represent familiar sounds. This deepens their understanding of how English spelling works and strengthens their ability to read a wider variety of words accurately and confidently.
Learning continues to be supported by interactive phonics games on iOS and Android, ensuring systematic practice and consolidation.
Completion of Levels 1A–7B, or equivalent reading and phonics knowledge, is recommended.
What Will My Child Learn in Level 8A & 8B?
In Levels 8A and 8B, children learn new graphemes that represent sounds they may already know, but written in different ways.
Graphemes Covered
• Level 8A: ay, ou, ie, ea
• Level 8B: oy, ir, ue, aw
Children learn to:
• Recognise new graphemes in words
• Match graphemes to the correct sounds
• Read words using alternative spellings
• Apply decoding strategies to unfamiliar words
Key Skills Your Child Will Develop
By the end of these levels, your child will be able to:
• Read words containing new graphemes with confidence
• Recognise that the same sound can be spelled in different ways
• Improve reading accuracy and flexibility
• Develop stronger word recognition skills
These skills support confident reading across a wider range of texts.
Learning Through Games & Practice
All graphemes taught in Levels 8A and 8B are reinforced through interactive games and structured activities on iOS and Android.
Children practise by:
• Identifying graphemes in words
• Reading words with alternative spellings
• Repeating activities that build automatic recognition
The guided, game-based approach helps children consolidate new reading patterns while staying motivated.
Who Is This Level For?
• Children who have completed Levels 1A–7B
• Readers who can decode confidently but need exposure to alternative spellings
• Children ready to broaden their reading vocabulary
These levels are ideal for children moving toward fluent, independent reading.
Why These Levels Are Important
Levels 8A and 8B help children understand that English spelling is flexible and that sounds can be written in multiple ways. Mastering these new graphemes reduces confusion, improves reading accuracy, and prepares children for more advanced reading and spelling in later levels.
Please note: The pricing plans below apply only to Phase 5 (Levels 8A & 8B). Children will learn the following graphemes: ay, ou, ie, ea, oy, ir, ue, aw, with regular review sessions built in. This phase is typically taught over 10 sessions, each lasting 30–40 minutes: 8 teaching sessions plus 2 dedicated review sessions to support consolidation and confidence.
