Intent

We aim to enable our children to: 

• Apply the skill of blending phonemes in order to read words.
• Segment words into their constituent phonemes in order to spell words.
• Learn that blending and segmenting words are reversible processes.
• Read Common Exception Words (also known as Red Words) that do not conform to regular phonic patterns.
• Read texts and words that are within their phonic capabilities as early as possible.
• Decode texts effortlessly so all their resources can be used to comprehend what they read.
• Spell effortlessly so that all their resources can be directed towards composing their writing.

Implementation 

Children from Reception through to Year 2 learn phonics through the 'Read Write Inc.' (RWI) programme. 'Read Write Inc.' produced by Ruth Miskin, is a method of learning centred around letter sounds and phonics, blending them together to read and write words. Children then use these learnt sounds in their reading and writing.  RWI sessions occur each day as the continuity and pace of the programme is key to accelerating the progress of children’s reading development.

The RWI approach is taught considering the 5 P’s:

• Praise – Children learn quickly in a positive climate.
• Pace – Good pace is essential to the lesson.
• Purpose – Every part of the lesson has a specific purpose.
• Passion – This is a very prescriptive programme. It is the energy, enthusiasm and passion that teachers put into the lesson that bring the teaching and learning to life!
• Participation – A strong feature of R.W.I. lessons is partner work and the partners ‘teaching’ each other (based on research which states that we learn 70% of what we talk about with our partner and 90% of what we teach).

Read Write Inc. lessons happen daily for 30 minutes. Each lesson starts with a 10–15-minute Speed Sounds lesson which teaches:

• Oral blending
• New speed sounds and revision of previous speed sounds
• How to decode both real words and ‘alien’ (pseudo) words
• How to read words containing previously taught sounds speedily 
• How to spell words using phonics

Children then read and comprehend a book which is carefully matched to their phonics knowledge and complete activities relating to their storybook. 

The programme is ordered through a series of colour-coded books, each progressively introducing new letters and sounds. Children are taught in small homogenous groups and are assessed every half term to review whether they are ready to progress onto the next book colour. Children take home books that are directly matched to their Read Write Inc. lessons, as well as an additional RWI book banded book for more of a challenge. Library books are taken home to compliment phonics books.