At St Joseph’s we follow the Read, Write Inc phonics scheme.

Read Write Inc. Phonics is a systematic phonics programme developed by Ruth Miskin, to help children learn to read and write confidently.

We believe that learning to read opens the door to a world of knowledge, imagination and opportunity. Our aim is to help every child develop the skills, confidence and enjoyment needed to become a successful, independent reader.

We work in partnership with parents and carers because the support children receive at home makes a valuable difference to their reading journey.

What is Read Write Inc. Phonics?

Read Write Inc. (RWI) is a structured phonics programme that teaches children how to recognise sounds, blend sounds together to read words, and use sounds to help them spell and write.

Children learn in a carefully sequenced way, building on what they already know and practising new skills regularly. Lessons include reading sounds, blending words, reading books matched to the sounds children have learnt, and developing handwriting and writing skills.

Children are taught in groups appropriate to their current phonics knowledge, allowing teaching to be targeted to their individual needs. Progress is regularly reviewed so that teaching and practice can be adapted as children develop.

Learning the sounds

Children learn the sounds that letters and groups of letters represent.

For example:

m makes the sound /m/.

sh makes one sound, as in ship.

igh makes one sound, as in night.

Children learn to recognise these sounds quickly and confidently. They also practise forming the letters correctly when writing.

Blending sounds to read words

Once children know the sounds, they learn to blend them together to read words.

For example:

c – a – t = cat

Children are encouraged to say the sounds and then blend them together smoothly to read the whole word. With regular practice, this process becomes quicker and more automatic.

Reading books matched to their learning

Children read Read Write Inc. Storybooks that are carefully matched to the sounds and words they have been taught.

This allows children to practise their developing reading skills, experience success and build fluency. As their knowledge grows, they progress to books containing increasingly complex sounds and words.

Developing writing and spelling

Phonics also helps children become confident writers. Children learn to hear the sounds in words, identify the letters needed to represent those sounds, spell words and write sentences.

They practise handwriting, spelling and composing sentences as part of their learning.

Building fluency and understanding

Learning to read involves more than recognising words. Children also develop their understanding of what they read, learn new vocabulary and discuss characters, events and information.

We encourage children to read with increasing accuracy, expression and confidence while developing a genuine enjoyment of books.

Understanding the Read Write Inc. terminology

You may hear your child use some special words during their phonics lessons. Here are a few of the most common terms.

Speed Sounds - The sounds children learn to recognise and say quickly. Some sounds are represented by one letter, while others are represented by two or three letters.

Fred Talk - Fred is a frog who can only speak in sounds. Children use Fred Talk to sound out a word before blending the sounds together.

For example, Fred might say c – a – t, and the child blends the sounds to say cat.

Special Friends - Two or three letters that work together to represent one sound, such as sh, ch, ay and igh.

Green Words - words that children can sound out and blend using the sounds they have learnt.

Red Words - Words that contain parts that cannot easily be read using the phonics knowledge children have learnt so far. These words need to be learnt and recognised by sight. Some parts may still be decodable.

Speedy Reading - Practising familiar sounds and words until children can recognise and read them quickly and accurately, helping them become more fluent readers.

How can I help my child at home?

1. Read together every day. Choose a quiet, comfortable time when you can give them your attention.

2. Practise the sounds your child has learnt – these are found in the storybooks that your child has sent home.

3. Use Fred Talk - Make sounding out words part of everyday life. For example, you could say, "Can you find your c – oa – t?" or "It's time for l – u – n – ch!"

4. Listen patiently - Give your child time to sound out unfamiliar words. Encourage them to blend the sounds together rather than guessing from the pictures or the first letter.

5. Re-read familiar books - Reading a familiar book more than once helps children develop accuracy, confidence, expression and fluency. Repetition is a valuable part of learning.

6. Talk about what you read.

Ask questions such as:

• What has happened in the story?
• Who is your favourite character, and why?
• What do you think might happen next?
• What does that word mean?

7. Read stories aloud to your child.

Even when children can read independently, listening to an adult read aloud helps them discover new vocabulary, enjoy more complex stories and develop their imagination.

Frequently Asked Questions

When will my child start learning phonics?

Children begin developing early phonics skills when they are ready, often through listening games, rhymes, stories and activities that help them recognise sounds. Formal Read Write Inc. teaching is introduced according to their stage of learning.

The timing and pace will depend on your child's age, prior experience and individual needs.

What if my child finds phonics difficult?

Children learn at different rates. If a child needs additional practice, we use assessment and observation to identify the sounds and skills they need to revisit.

Regular revision, targeted teaching and encouragement help children build confidence. Please speak to your child's class teacher if you have concerns about their progress.

Why does my child bring home a book they have already read?

Re-reading is an important part of the programme. The first read may focus on reading the words accurately. Subsequent reads help children become more fluent, read with expression and develop a deeper understanding of the text.

A book that looks easy to an adult may still be helping a child develop essential reading skills.

Should I help my child when they get stuck on a word?

Give your child time to look carefully at the word and say the sounds they know. Encourage them to blend the sounds together. If they are still unsure, help them identify the sounds and model how to blend them. You can then ask them to read the word again. The aim is to help children develop strategies they can use independently, rather than simply telling them the word or encouraging them to guess.

Why does school teach the sounds rather than just the letter names?

Children need to recognise the sounds represented by letters so that they can blend them together to read words. For example, knowing the sound /m/ helps a child blend m – a – t to read mat. Letter names are also important and will be learnt, but phonics focuses on the sounds needed for reading and spelling. When practising at home, use the pronunciation demonstrated by your child's teacher and avoid adding an extra "uh" sound. For example, say /m/ rather than "muh".

What are Set 1, Set 2 and Set 3 sounds?

These are the groups of sounds taught through Read Write Inc.

Set 1 introduces the initial sounds children need to begin blending and reading simple words.

Set 2 introduces further sounds, including combinations of letters that represent one sound.

Set 3 develops children's knowledge of alternative spellings for sounds they already know.

Children move through these sets as their knowledge and reading skills develop. The pace will vary from child to child.

What are Green Words and Red Words?

Green Words can be sounded out and blended using the phonics knowledge children have learnt.

Red Words contain parts that children cannot yet read easily using their current phonics knowledge. They are taught to recognise these words so they can read them accurately and confidently.

Both types of words are important for developing fluent reading.

Why does my child sometimes read a word incorrectly even though they know the sounds?

Children may be concentrating so hard on sounding out a word that they find it difficult to blend the sounds smoothly. They may also need more practice recognising familiar sounds and words quickly.

Encourage them to sound out the word, blend it and then read the whole sentence again to check that it makes sense. Repeated reading and gentle support will help.

What if my child memorises the story rather than reading the words?

Remembering a familiar story is a positive skill, but children also need to practise decoding the words on the page. Encourage your child to look carefully at each word and use their phonics knowledge. You can point to the words as they read and revisit unfamiliar words together.

What books will my child bring home?

Your child may bring home a Read Write Inc. Storybook or a carefully matched home-reading book, alongside other books or resources recommended by school. These books are chosen to support the sounds and words your child is learning. Your child may also bring home a book to share with an adult for enjoyment. Please encourage your child to look after their books and return them to school as requested.

What is the Phonics Screening Check?

The Year 1 Phonics Screening Check is a statutory assessment in England that checks whether children can apply their phonics knowledge to read words. Children read a mixture of real words and pseudo-words, sometimes called alien words. These are made-up words that allow teachers to check whether children can use their phonics skills rather than rely on memorisation.

If a child does not meet the expected standard in Year 1, they will receive further support and will usually have another opportunity to take the check in Year 2.

There is no need to put unnecessary pressure on your child. Regular reading, practising the sounds taught in school and encouragement at home are the best ways to help them prepare.

Is it still important to read stories to my child if they can read independently?

Absolutely! Reading aloud remains valuable at every stage. It helps children hear rich language, encounter new vocabulary, develop listening skills and enjoy stories that may be beyond their independent reading level.

Sharing books is also a wonderful opportunity to talk, ask questions and spend time together.

How can I find out more about Read Write Inc.?

The official Ruth Miskin website provides parent and carer videos

Here are some attached resources about the programme and how you can best support your children at home.

A parent and carer’s guide to phonics - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MbWIujM1WGM

Techniques to hear your child read a RWI storybook - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=07DruIKFsKw

Understanding phonics - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p_6Jb0-3qz8