Phonics

Phonics at Brunel Primary and Nursery Academy:
Our Read Write Inc. Approach

At Brunel Primary and Nursery Academy, we believe that a strong foundation in reading and writing is essential for every child’s educational journey. To ensure our students develop these critical skills, we use the Read Write Inc. Phonics program, a highly effective and structured approach that fosters confident, fluent readers and accurate spellers from an early age.

What is Read Write Inc.?
Read Write Inc. (RWI) is a phonics-based literacy program developed by Ruth Miskin. It is designed to teach children how to read accurately, fluently, and with good comprehension, as well as how to write confidently by using phonics to spell.

How We Implement Read Write Inc. at Brunel Primary and Nursery Academy
We take pride in delivering the Read Write Inc. program in a structured, supportive, and engaging environment. Here’s a step-by-step breakdown of what that looks like in our school:

1. Initial Assessment
Before starting the program, all children are assessed to determine their starting point. This ensures they are grouped with peers at a similar level, making the lessons more targeted and effective.

2. Daily Phonics Lessons
Children receive daily Read Write Inc. lessons, which last between 30 to 60 minutes depending on their age and stage of development. These sessions include:
Learning letter sounds (phonemes): Children are taught the sounds that letters or groups of letters make. This builds the foundation for reading and writing.
Blending sounds into words: Students learn how to blend individual sounds to form words. This helps them begin to read and write with accuracy.
Practicing with decodable books: Children read books that are closely matched to their phonics knowledge, allowing them to apply what they’ve learned and build confidence in their reading abilities.

3. Small, Ability-Based Group
Children are placed in small groups according to their reading progress, allowing for focused teaching that matches their learning needs. Each group works with a specially trained teacher or teaching assistant, ensuring a high level of support and instruction.

4. Speed Sounds Practice
Each lesson begins with "Speed Sounds" practice, where students rapidly review known sounds and are introduced to new ones. This helps to reinforce previous learning while ensuring they are constantly building on their skills.

5. Reading and Comprehension
Once students can recognise and blend sounds, they move on to reading storybooks. These books are carefully chosen to be fully decodable, meaning they contain only the sounds and words that the students have learned so far. This makes reading achievable and rewarding from the outset. As they progress, children work on comprehension skills by discussing the story, answering questions, and developing their understanding of the text.

6. Writing and Spelling
In addition to reading, students practice writing by using "Fred Fingers" to help them sound out words and spell them correctly. They are also encouraged to write short stories or sentences, reinforcing their phonics knowledge and building their confidence as young writers.

7. Regular Assessment and Progress Checks
Throughout the year, students are regularly assessed to track their progress. This ensures that children are always working at the appropriate level and allows for movement between groups if necessary, ensuring they are consistently challenged and supported.

8. Celebrating Success
We believe in celebrating the achievements of every child. As they move through the program, we celebrate their reading milestones, such as mastering new sounds, finishing books, or moving up to a higher group. This positive reinforcement encourages a love for reading and writing, and boosts their confidence.

The Benefits of Read Write Inc. at Brunel Primary and Nursery Academy

By using Read Write Inc., we aim to ensure that every child:

- Develops a strong phonics foundation for reading and writing.
- Becomes a fluent reader who can comprehend texts confidently.
- Gains the skills to spell accurately and write creatively.
- Feels motivated and successful in their literacy journey.

At Brunel Primary and Nursery Academy, we are proud to support our students in becoming lifelong readers and writers through the Read Write Inc. approach.