Phonics

Our Approach to Teaching Phonics 

Our aims are to support children in becoming confident, fluent and expressive readers who can derive meaning and information from a variety of texts. We are passionate about reading and are determined to ensure that our children develop a life-long love of reading.

We use the Read Write Inc phonics scheme to deliver our teaching of phonics and early reading in Foundation Stage and Key Stage 1. Read Write Inc. is a synthetic phonics programme that ensures early success in reading, writing and spelling. The phonic sessions consist of review, teach, practice and apply. Children will learn sounds and words. They will learn how to successfully decode using 'Fred Talk'. Fred is a toy frog that we use to engage children in saying the sounds correctly.

Children in Nursery follow Letters and Sounds Phase 1, focussing on listening skills and identifying different sounds heard. The information on FS1 phonics below will give you an insight into how phonics is taught in Nursery.

Our FS2 and Key Stage 1 children will have daily Read, Write, Inc sessions. Children who need additional support will have extra one-to-one teaching each day. Children with gaps in their phonic knowledge, reading or fluency in Key Stage 2 will also be supported through high quality Read, write, Inc teaching and intervention.

Monitoring and Review

Pupils work within homogeneous groups which are defined by their performance in regular RWI assessments. Pupils are assessed every 5 weeks and the groups are reorganised accordingly. The Reading Leader ensures that the routine of the lesson is followed by all teaching staff to ensure consistency and continuity. The RWI lead organises assessment of all pupils accessing phonics, places children into ability teaching groups and allocates a member of staff to each group. The RWI lead 'drops in' on groups to give advice, models lessons and ensures fidelity to the programme.

Daily, consistent phonics, will support your child in becoming a successful, confident and fluent reader. Through the teaching of systematic phonics, our aim is for children to become fluent readers by the end of Key Stage One. This way, children can focus on developing their fluency and comprehension as they move through school.

Please see the information below which further explains the RWI programme and also gives advice on how to support your child at home.

Please click on the link below which will take you to the parents page on Oxford Owl for Read Write Inc.