Intent

Within the Bramham/Shadwell Federation, we have recently made a change to the way we teach phonics and early reading. We are excited to introduce a move to the Read Write Inc. (RWI) programme. RWI is a DfE validated systematic synthetic phonics programme which takes a mastery approach to learning to read. This scheme has been proven to give all children a flying start to their reading journey, something we within the Federation continue to strive for.

We strongly believe that reading opens the door to learning. A child who reads a lot will become a good reader. A good reader will be able to read more challenging material. A child who reads challenging material is a child who will learn. The more a child learns, the more they will want to find out.

With this vision in mind, we have trained all staff within the federation to deliver this engaging and rigorous phonics scheme in EYFS and KS1, alongside new interventions for KS2 across our federation. It is our ambition that this scheme will ensure continued high levels of success for all our pupils, whilst also future-proofing our daily phonics teaching. Below you’ll find documents that outline what Read Write Inc. phonics looks like in our Federation.

KS1 Phonics and Comprehension Journey (Long Term Plan)

Impact

In addition to daily formative assessment by teaching staff, formal summative assessments in phonics take place on a half termly basis. This is to ensure that children are keeping up and not catching up. From these assessments, we will ensure that children are allocated to appropriate learning groups for their sound knowledge and targeted quickly for intervention. In the final term of Year 1, children undertake a statutory assessment known as the Phonics Screening Check. In this assessment, children are asked to apply their knowledge of all taught sounds to read 20 real words and 20 alien words. The impact of our mastery approach to phonics is that we all pupils are as prepared for this assessment as they can be, with those few that may not pass in Year 1 receiving additional support to pass in Year 2.  

By providing children with the opportunity to read on a daily basis, children are developing their fluency and comprehension skills as well as their confidence and love for reading. 

We work closely with the teachers delivering these sessions to ensure that the needs of our children are being met. We have regular reviews of the scheme were we look to share progress, moderate attainment and refine our implementation of the scheme. From these reviews, we organise supportive CPD opportunities such as further training, observations and team teaching experiences. 

All of this ensures ‘Excellence For All’ in the teaching, learning and application of phonics and early reading within our Federation.