Intent

The systematic teaching of phonics has a high priority throughout Foundation Stage and Key Stage One.  At Hatfeild Primary School, we value reading as a key life skill, and are dedicated to enabling our pupils to become lifelong readers. We acknowledge that children need to be taught the key skills in segmenting and blending to be equipped with the knowledge to be able to complete the phonics check at the end of year 1. We also value and encourage the pupils to read for enjoyment and recognise that this starts with the foundations of acquiring letter sounds, segmenting and blending skills.

Implementation

Over the past year, Hatfeild Primary School have overhauled the Phonics Scheme and Introduced Read Write Inc. across Early Years and KS1.  They have invested in brand new decodable books for Reception, Year 1 and Year 2.  Phonics is taught daily to all children in Foundation Stage, and KS1 using The Ruth Miskin Read Write Inc. scheme. Phonics teaching is delivered using the Recap, Teach, Practise, Apply method.  Extra support is provided to those in Year 2 who have not passed phonics screening in Year 1 and interventions are planned for those children who are working below expected levels. Staff systematically teach learners the relationship between sounds and the written spelling patterns, or graphemes, which represent them. Phonics is delivered in a whole class format because it enables staff to ensure application across subjects embedding the process in a rich literacy environment for early readers. Pupils have regular reading sessions with an adult where they ensure the pupils are regularly practising and applying their phonics knowledge. In the EYFS the continuous provision matches the pupil’s current knowledge and understanding whilst ensuring the children are suitably challenged. In EYFS and KS1, Teachers assess the pupil’s phonics knowledge every half-term using the RWI assessment to ensure reading books are matched to phonics levels.  These regular assessments inform planning and allow teachers to identify any gaps in learning. At Hatfeild we use the RWI book bag books, which are linked to the children’s phonics level.  As well as a good quality reading for pleasure book to share at home.

Impact

Successful implementation of the Read, Write Inc. Phonics Scheme, has meant that Hatfield Primary school has already seen a huge impact in the teaching and learning of phonics across Early Years and KS1. This was also reflected in the PSC results this year. 

Through the teaching of systematic phonics, our aim is for children to become fluent readers by the end of Key Stage One. This way, children can focus on developing their fluency and comprehension as they move through the school. Attainment in reading is measured using the statutory assessments at the end of Key Stage One and Two. These results are measured against the reading attainment of children nationally. Attainment in phonics is measured by the Phonics Screening Test at the end of Year 1. However, we firmly believe that reading is the key to all learning and so the impact of our reading curriculum goes beyond the results of the statutory assessments.

 

Please see our recent workshop slides below.

 

Read, Write, Inc. Resources.

Read Write, Inc. is taught in 3 sets.

Set 1 includes mostly single sounds and some digraphs (2 special friends)

Set 2 includes mostly digraphs (2 special friends)

Set 3 includes mostly alternative spellings and word endings.

For a pronunciation guide, please see the video link below.

 

How to teach blending