Silloth Primary School

Phonics & Reading Curriculum Intent

''Pupils of all ages and abilities, including disadvantaged pupils, read effectively. Many read at standards higher than those expected for their age. When they come across unfamiliar words, pupils use their secure knowledge of letter sounds to help them. They persevere when the text is challenging. Leaders work hard to encourage a love of reading. Pupils said that they enjoy reading and some pupils have been inspired to write to their favourite authors.'

(Ofsted 2017)

An Overview of Phonics & Reading At Silloth Primary School

What Is Read, Write Inc?

Read Write Inc is a whole school approach to teaching reading and writing for children in Early Years and Key Stage 1. It is a systematic, synthetic phonics programme developed by Ruth Miskin. Daily sessions are delivered by an enthusiastic, trained member of our Reading Team. All staff in school are trained by Ruth Miskin Training to ensure consistency.

Children are grouped according to their reading progress. They participate in lively sessions each day. Each session involves learning how to read and spell words, reading a decodable book, followed by a writing activity linked to the book they have read.

Assessments take place frequently to ensure that progress is speedy and children can quickly progress through the programme. Our aim is for children to learn to read as quickly as possible, having completed the program by the end of Year 2.

Whilst on the Read, Write Inc programme, children take home three books a week to share. They will bring home:

• A library book, which they have chosen for an adult to read to them.
• A ‘Last and Past book’ – This is the book they have read the previous week at school and is an opportunity for them to build further fluency and confidence. They also bring home a keyring with key word from the story to practise reading speedily.
• A ‘Book Bag book’ - This is a new book, which has a similar theme to their ‘Last and Past’ book.

Once the programme has been completed, Children then move onto our Book Banded reading scheme where they read a range of texts at their own interest and comprehension level.

Keep Up, Not Catch-Up

We use the phrase ‘Keep up, not catch up’. Children who are not making the expected progress receive targeted daily tutoring. Any child who does not complete the programme by the end of Year 2, or is reading below age-related expectations at Key Stage 2, continue to access Read Write Inc.

Support for Parents/Carers with Phonics

Phonics In Action

Reading Scheme of Work

Top Tips to Support Reading at Home