At Beacon Primary School we teach children to read use using the synthetic phonics approach. Synthetic phonics teaches children to recognise and say the sounds in words (decoding) so that they may blend them to read the whole word. It also teaches them to hear the sounds in words so that they can spell them (segmenting).

We follow Read Write Inc to teach synthetic phonics.

Using Read Write Inc, the children learn to read effortlessly so that they can put all their energy into comprehending what they read. It also allows them to spell effortlessly so that they can put all their energy into composing what they write.

Children will be introduced to phonics in Pre-school through Letters and sounds but will be taught the Set 1 RWI sounds alongside this.

In Nursery the children will start the RWI programme which continues until Year 2 when the children move onto English and guided reading lessons. 

 When using Read Write 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 Read Write 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.
• write simple sentences.
• compose stories based on picture strips.
• compose a range of stories based on writing frames.

Children are organised into homogenous groupings for phonics so that they are taught according to their reading ability rather than their age. Teachers and teaching assistants lead phonic groups so that they are small and pupils are well supported.

In Key Stage 2 teachers build upon synthetic phonics knowledge and will refer the child back to the sound card phrases to help with the spelling of unknown words.  Any child who is identified as needing alternative reading strategies to phonics will have intervention using the Words First scheme, a sight reading scheme, so that they can achieve age related expectations in reading.

Phonic Screening check

In Year 1, a Phonic Screening Check will take place in the Summer Term.  This will check the child’s ability to use their phonic knowledge to read a list of 40 words which will consist of real and nonsense words (alien words).

Information for Parents:

Use this link to find out more about the RWI program:

www.ruthmiskin.com

Oxford Owl is a free website built to help you help your child learn to read and love to read.  It contains

• Over 100 FREE ebooks to enjoy with your child
• Phonics guide (including how to say the sounds correctly)
• Ideas for motivating boys to read
• Great ways to keep up with reading in the holidays
• Reading games and activities.

www.oxfordowl.co.uk

Mrs  S Papadopoulos

Assistant Head Teacher and English/RWI specialist and Leader

Please use the link below to view the Phonics Early Years Policy and Phonics KS1 Policy:

https://www.beaconprimaryschool.co.uk/policies/

To see how reading and phonics is taught in EY & KS1 please click on the following documents:

If you want further information about the curriculum content your child is covering please call the school office to arrange an appointment to see the subject leader. 

Useful websites and online games