At Norton Hill Primary, we use Read Write Inc Phonics (RWI) to give your child the best possible start with their Literacy development.

Read Write Inc (RWI) 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, vocabulary and spelling.  The programme is designed for children aged 4-7. However, at Norton Hill Primary School we begin to expose children in Nursery to skills that will help them access the taught programme in Reception. We continue teaching RWI to children beyond the age of 7, as we use a stage not age approach. 

RWI was developed by Ruth Miskin and more information on this can be found here.

At Norton Hill Primary School, we intend to teach the skills of reading to enable children to become confident, fluent readers who use reading as a tool to explore the wider world and further their own learning journey. We also aim to build a life long love of literature so that throughout their lives children can use the literary world as a means of escapism, relaxation and pure enjoyment.

The overarching aim for English in the national curriculum is to promote high standards of language and literacy by equipping pupils with a strong command of the spoken and written word, and to develop their love of literature through widespread reading for enjoyment. The national curriculum for English aims to ensure that all pupils:

• read easily, fluently and with good understanding
• develop the habit of reading widely and often, for both pleasure and information
• acquire a wide vocabulary, an understanding of grammar and knowledge of linguistic conventions for reading, writing and spoken language
• appreciate our rich and varied literary heritage
• write clearly, accurately and coherently, adapting their language and style in and for a range of contexts, purposes and audiences
• use discussion in order to learn; they should be able to elaborate and explain clearly their understanding and ideas
• are competent in the arts of speaking and listening, making formal presentations, demonstrating to others and participating in debate.

Our curriculum is shaped by our school vision which is that 'at Norton Hill Primary, each individual shines brightly, without limits'.

At Norton Hill Primary, we have a clear and consistent approach to the teaching of phonics across the school. Read Write Inc (RWI) is used to teach letter sounds and reading across Reception and KS1. All Reception, Year 1 and Year 2 children have a daily phonics session in ability groups. RWI phonics is assessed termly and children are re-grouped accordingly.

The children start the RWI programme in the Early Years Unit and begin by learning speed sounds set one. Once children are confident with set one, they progress onto sets two and three. As part of their learning they practise reading and spelling green words (which are words that are decodable using the sounds they have been taught). They also learn red words (which are words that aren’t easily phonically decodable). Children will work through the RWI programme at different rates but they will generally be working on the RWI programme in the Early Years Unit and Key Stage One.

Using Read Write Inc phonics 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 their energy into composing what they write.

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.

Home Reading is a vital part of our curriculum and children are encouraged to read at home at least four times a week. Children are assessed within the school and take home books matched to their reading ability. Parental involvement is key and when possible they are invited in to share stories with their children.

As soon as children are secure with the first 10 sounds of set 1, they will be sent home with 'Sound Blending Books'. These books will support children with their blending and phonic teaching that they have in school. As the children's blending becomes more fluent, reading books are sent home that closely correspond with the sounds that the children are secure with.

Towards the end of Reception, children will begin guided reading sessions. The sessions provides a greater focus on small group Guided Reading sessions that support children’s comprehension skills, and provides activities to promote a love of reading. It also allows teachers to listen to children read within these groups.

As the children move into Year One, we use our RWI phonics assessments to teach guided reading in a whole class approach. The children read books matched to their phonic ability. The whole class RWI approach to reading happens four times a week, where teachers are able to listen to children read.

Children will also be sent home with a reading for pleasure book which will compliment their RWI book. This is to give the children breadth with their reading. As these books are not as closely matched to the children's phonetic knowledge, we welcome adults to assist with these reading books, to help to develop a love of reading.

Assessment is a vital tool for establishing the progress the children are making and for identifying the next steps in learning. At Norton Hill Primary we formally test the children, from Year 1, each term using the NFER tests from Spring term. These give us a standardised score which we can report to parents. However, this is only one part of the picture, we also use our professional judgment when working with the children to assess where they are up to.

Alongside this, children are assessed on their phonetic knowledge using the RWI assessment tool once a term. This informs teachers of how well children are retaining new sounds that are taught to them. Any sounds that have not been retained are then exposed to children daily using precision teaching.

As a minimum, children in EYFS and year one are read to 1:1 by an adult once a week in school.

Reading records are used to record how frequently children are reading at home and in school. This Reading Record should be brought into school every day alongside your children's reading books.

When reading with your child at home, please record your own comments. This does not need to be long or complicated - just show that somebody at home has been supporting with reading.

Praise comments:

• Well Done.
• Read fluently with sister.
• Tried really hard.

Feedback to the teacher:

• They found this book difficult or easy.
• Explained the events in the story.
• Had to explain the meaning of these words ...
• Needed help with 'ch' sound.

Adults in school will be writing a next step in the children's books which will advise parents/carers on something that the child needs to work on to improve their reading.