Curriculum
How is phonics taught at Ashleigh Primary School and Nursery?
• At Ashleigh Primary School and Nursery, we use a government approved phonics scheme designed by Ruth Miskin, called ‘Read Write Inc.’ (RWI).
• High levels of reading success are achieved through the systematic teaching and consistent routines of this programme.
• Read Write Inc. is firmly based in synthetic phonics. Synthetic phonics involves converting a letter or letter group into sounds that are then blended together into a word.
Who teaches phonics at Ashleigh Primary School and Nursery?
• We have a dedicated team of teachers and teaching assistants who have all received accredited RWI training and they are referred to as reading teachers. They are passionate about every child learning to read and take part in weekly meetings for coaching and training purposes.
How do the groups work and what happens?
• At the beginning of Reception, each child is assessed in their phonics sound knowledge and reading skill. They are then placed in a group appropriate to what they have shown they can do within this assessment.
• This ensures that all children are working at the right level for their ability which is the best way to ensure progress and confidence in their reading skills.
• Children might not be taught phonics by their own class teacher, however, information is regularly shared between reading teachers and class teachers to ensure everyone knows where a child is working and the progress that is being made.
• Groups are assessed every half term (6 weeks) and children are moved accordingly to either accelerate progress or provide further consolidation. Any children who are not making sufficient progress will be given targeted intervention or additional 1:1 tutoring sessions during the afternoon.
What is taught in phonics?
Learning Set 1 Speed Sounds
These are the Set 1 Speed Sounds written with one letter:
m a s d t i n p g o c k u b f e l h r j v y w z x
These are the sounds written with two letters (these are known as ‘special friends’):
sh th ch qu ng nk ck
Learning to blend with Set 1 Speed Sounds
Children learn to read words containing Set 1 Speed Sounds by sound blending. The children learn this as ‘Fred-talk’ where they say each sound and then blend them to read the whole word. For example:
m-a-t = mat
c-a-t = cat
g-o-t = got
f-i-sh = fish
s-p-o-t = spot
b-e-s-t = best
s-p-l-a-sh = splash
Learning Set 2 Speed Sounds
These are the Set 2 Speed Sounds:
ay (as in play)
ee (as in see)
igh (as in high)
ow (as in blow)
oo (as in zoo)
oo (as in look)
ar (as in car)
or (as in torn)
air (fair)
ir (as in bird)
ou (as in shout)
oy (as in toy)
Learning Set 3 Speed Sounds
These are Set 3 Speed Sounds:
ea (as in tea)
oi (as in spoil)
a–e (as in cake)
i–e (as in smile)
o–e (as in home)
u–e (as in huge)
aw (as in yawn)
are (as in care)
ur (as in nurse)
er (as in letter)
ow (as in brown)
ai (as in snail)
oa (as in goat)
ew (as in chew)
ire (as in fire)
ear (as in hear)
ure (as in pure)
What about reading books?
Learning to Blend
When a child is learning to blend, they will be given RWI blending books. Children are encouraged to ‘Fred-talk’ the word and blend it together. They will be able to check if they are correct by turning the page to see an image which matches the word. Children are encouraged to sound out carefully using pure sounds.
Confidently Blending
Once confident in blending, children will begin to receive two RWI books. One is a copy of the book they have read at school in their RWI sessions. They will have read this book three or five times with their reading teacher, depending on which group they are in, so they should be confident and familiar with the story. The second book is a colourful ‘Book Bag Book’. These books allow children to apply their reading skills and are matched to the sounds they have been taught so far. There are questions at the end of the book to check understanding and promote discussion of the story. Children will not read this book in school.
How can parents help at home?
• Practise the sounds listed above for Set 1, 2, 3
• Read together daily
• Follow this link to for additional information and parent tutorials https://home.oxfordowl.co.uk/reading/reading-schemes-oxford-levels/read-write-inc-phonics-guide/
