Phonics

Overview

Read, Write, Inc begins in Nursery and continues throughout the infant school until children are able to read fluently using the sounds explicitly taught.

In Nursery, the 2-year-old children start their Phonics journey by being exposed to opportunities to develop familiarity with stories, nursery rhymes, poems and songs. Children are exposed to a rich language environment where staff model and plan their talk opportunities with children. Children are taught and begin to learn familiar nursery rhymes and songs. Children have access to high quality books and texts and opportunities to share these with an adult and access them independently in provision areas.

As children progress into FS1 (3–4-year-olds) they continue their rich diet of stories, nursery rhymes, poems and songs and begin to build a bank of these from memory. Adults used planned talk opportunities in the Nursery provision areas and work on building children’s vocabulary through oral rehearsal, visuals and experiences. Children in nursery begin to learn RWI signals and language associated with the scheme. Provision areas are planned to include RWI and literacy links such as role play and mark making. In the Summer term, children are ready to be taught to read and write Set 1 sounds. This happens in daily phonics lessons by following Read, Write Inc’s Nursery principles.

When children enter FS2 they begin their formal Read, Write, Inc learning. Adults use the ‘Making a Strong Start in Reception’ guidance from Read, Write Inc to deliver lessons which teach children Set 1 sounds and how to read, recognise and read words containing the sounds. Children are assessed at the end of each term in FS2 which allows them to be grouped accurately in order to be taught the phonics sounds they are ready to learn. Groups are small and precise in order to provide bespoke teaching based on the children’s individual needs and reading abilities. As the year progresses, children build reading fluency in their RWI Reading sessions where they access texts and books matched to their phonics reading level. They then take these sheets, ditties or books home to practice their reading skills. Adults read with the children during one-to-one reading time. Every child has an opportunity to read with an adult regularly. Children who are not fluent readers for their age receive early reading interventions and are prioritised for one-to-one reading.

In Year 1, children have daily Phonics and Reading sessions. Children continue to be assessed and grouped at the end of every term. Children in year 1 learn more sounds and alternate sounds and spellings for these sounds. They learn Set 2 and 3 sounds securely and read words and books containing words with these sounds. Children also receive a whole class phonics session every afternoon which enables them to learn more and remember more of the sounds. At the end of year 1, children complete their Phonics Screening Check. Adults read with the children during one-to-one reading time. Every child has an opportunity to read with an adult regularly. Children who are not fluent readers for their age receive early reading interventions and are prioritised for one-to-one reading.

In Year 2, children have daily Phonics and Reading sessions. Children continue to be assessed and grouped at the end of every term. Children build their fluency in year 2 by reading more books and texts. They use the alternate sounds and spellings more in their written work and when reading more challenging texts. When children are fluent readers, they do not access RWI sessions and instead, access Reading comprehension. Children who are not fluent in their reading of sounds and words will continue to access Phonics lessons. Adults read with the children during one-to-one reading time. Every child has an opportunity to read with an adult regularly. Children who are not fluent readers for their age receive early reading interventions and are prioritised for one-to-one reading.

Reading Workshop Presentation

Reading Workshop Leaflet

Phonics progression flow chart

Read, Write, Inc Overview