Phonics 

Phonics is taught using the Read, Write, Inc (RWI) program which is a DfE-validated systematic synthetic phonics programme for teaching early reading and writing. Staff have had specialist training from RWI which includes ongoing development training for leaders and staff. We have also invested in the RWI Portal which gives staff access to a range of training materials and supports the teaching of phonics in the classroom.  

Children learn the routines and behaviours necessary for each activity, and practise these until they use them automatically. This allows them to focus on what matters most – learning to read and write. Phonics is taught daily in Reception, Year 1 and for any other identified children. 

Lesson Sequence  

• Revisit previous sounds and/or high frequency words taught 

• Teach new sound  

•             Reading is modelled by the adult  

• Practice the new learning by reading appropriate decodable books 

• Apply new learning by writing individual words or sentences 

• Practice basic sight words – ‘tricky’ words and high frequency words 

Lessons are fast paced, varied and engaging. The idea is that all children are actively involved in phonics lessons. Pupils are given opportunities to apply what they have learnt when they read aloud to an adult using decodable books at school and home. Children are continually assessed, and interventions are carefully planned.  

Children are initially taught individual sounds (set 1 sounds) in an order which enables them to sound and blend. Set 2 sounds are then introduced which comprise of digraphs and trigraphs before moving onto set 3 sounds. Alongside this learning, children are taught to decode real and nonsense words so that they can identify phonemes in all words and access the Phonics Screening Check which takes place in Year 1.   

A strategy of ‘keep up, not catch up’ is used to effectively use assessment to identify children requiring phonics and reading interventions. Daily ‘pinny time’ is used for focused learning of any gaps in phonics knowledge.  

Children in EYFS and Year 1 take RWI books home that are closely matched to their learning in school. Alongside these books, the children also choose a Bedtime Reading Book from our school library to encourage a love of reading and stories.  

Expectations of Progression RWI 

	YR children can:	Y1 children can:	Y2 children can:
End of Autumn 1	Read single-letter set 1 sounds	Read purple storybooks  Read some set 2 sounds	Read blue storybooks with increasing fluency and comprehension
End of Autumn 2	Read all set 1 sounds   Blend sounds into words orally	Read pink storybooks  Read all set 2 sounds	Read grey storybooks
End of Spring 1	Blend sounds to read words  Read short ditty stories	Read orange storybooks  Read some set 3 sounds	Read grey storybooks with fluency and comprehension
End of Spring 2	Read red storybooks	Read yellow storybooks	Access RWI spelling programme
End of Summer 1	Read green storybooks  Read some set 2 sounds	Read yellow storybooks  Read all set 3 sounds	Access RWI spelling programme
End of Summer 2	Read green or purple storybooks	Read blue storybooks	Access RWI spelling programme