At Hillborough Infant and Nursery School, our aim is to develop fluent readers, whilst fostering a love of reading by all.

Our teaching of phonics is delivered via a detailed and systematic programme ‘Read Write inc’. 

What is Read, Write Inc?

Read, Write Inc is a phonics complete literacy programme which helps all children learn to read fluently and at speed so they can focus on developing their skills in comprehension, spelling and vocabulary.

Pupils have opportunities to engage in daily phonics lessons and activities.  They are also provided with opportunities to apply their knowledge in purposeful, practical and reading activities.

All children are assessed regularly and move accordingly through the programme. Pupils are also provided with a phonics reading book aligned to their current learning.

When using RWI to read the children will:

• learn 44 sounds and the corresponding letter/letter groups using simple picture prompts
• learn to read words using Fred Talk
• read lively 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 44 sounds.
• learn to write words by saying the sounds in Fred Talk
• Learn to build sentences by practising sentences out loud before their write

Synthetic phonics is not the only reading strategy we use to help pupils learn to read. We give pupils regular opportunities to practise reading by sight high frequency words and words that cannot be read by sounding out.

Our curriculum provides opportunities for pupils to read for purpose throughout our termly topics. Pupils also have the opportunity to borrow books from our school library. 

Pupils take home a suitable phonics book and a matching book bag book to enjoy reading at home.  

Phonics screening check:

A statutory phonics screening check is taken by every Year One child in June. Any Year Two pupils who did not pass the screening when they were in Year One will retake the check.

The check is very similar to tasks the children already complete during phonics lessons (RWI). The focus of the check is to ensure that all children can read by the end of Year 2. The Year 1 screening will provide evidence to help teachers plan for Year 2.

Useful websites for Parents: