Last updated: September 2021

Reading is so important to a child. Once a child can read, this will open many doors to their learning. Through reading, children learn about people, places and events outside their own experience. They are exposed to ways of life, ideas and beliefs about the world which may be different from those which surround them and furthermore, inspire their imagination. Not only that, but reading expands a child’s vocabulary, enhancing their writing and speech. Through teaching Read Write Inc (RWI) daily, we hope to give every child at Firs this life changing, indispensable skill.

At Firs we use the RWI programme to get children off to a confident start with their literacy and language. RWI is a teaching method based on letter phonics (sounds). We teach children to recognise and apply the phonics in their reading and spelling.

Using RWI, the children learn to read effortlessly so that they can put all their energy into comprehending what they read. With this, we hope that every child will grow to find pleasure and enjoyment through reading.

It also allows them to spell effortlessly so that they can put all their energy into composing what they write.

When using RWI to read the children will:

• learn 70+ sounds and the corresponding letter/letter groups using simple picture prompts
• learn to read words using Fred Talk to start, then as they progress without Fred Talk
• read stories featuring words they have learned to sound out
• show that they comprehend the stories by answering questions

When using RWI to write the children will:

• learn to write the letters/letter groups which represent 70+ sounds.
• learn to spell words by saying the sounds in Fred Talk
• write simple and complex sentences

More information for parents can also be found here

https://www.oxfordowl.co.uk/for-home/reading/read-write-inc-phonics-guide-for-parents/

Phonics Screening Check

At the end of Year 1 children are assessed using the National Phonics Screening Check. This assessment gathers information on the children’s ability to blend and segment decodable words to read.

The children sit with their class teacher, one to one in a relaxed environment, and read 40 words. Some words are real words and some are nonsense words .

If a child in Year 1 does not meet the required pass standard, they will re take the test in Year 2. Through-out Year 2 the children will be supported and will have interventions to help them to develop in phonics. They will also continue on the RWI program. The children will then retake the test in June.

Moving to Year 3,  if any children still need support with their reading, writing and confidence in this area this will be put in place for them. They will also continue on the RWI program, having phonics lessons specific to their Assessment and needs.

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