Our Phonics Programme

From September 2026, we use Read Write Inc. (RWI) Phonics as our systematic synthetic phonics programme.

RWI provides a consistent and structured approach to the teaching of early reading. Children are taught to recognise sounds and the letters that represent them, blend sounds together to read words and apply their phonic knowledge when reading and writing.

Phonics is taught daily by trained staff, following the RWI programme and agreed routines consistently across the school.

Supporting Children to Keep Up

We have high expectations for all children and recognise the importance of identifying gaps in phonic knowledge quickly.

From Autumn 2026, children who are identified through assessment as needing additional support receive targeted RWI additional practice and intervention, alongside their daily phonics teaching. This additional practice focuses on the specific sounds and blending skills that individual children need to secure.

We monitor the progress of these pupils closely so that support can be adapted according to need.

Where older pupils have not yet secured the phonic knowledge required to read fluently, they continue to receive appropriate phonics teaching and additional support.

Assessment and Grouping

Children are regularly assessed using the RWI assessment process. This enables us to identify what each child knows and what they need to learn next.

Children are grouped according to their current phonic knowledge so that teaching is closely matched to their stage of reading development. Assessment information is used to review these groups regularly and ensure that children continue to make progress.

Our Commitment

Our ambition is that every child learns to read. Through consistent implementation of Read Write Inc., regular assessment, carefully matched reading materials and timely add.itional support, we aim to ensure that children develop the knowledge, fluency and confidence they need to become successful readers

Books Matched to Phonic Knowledge

Children learning to read through RWI read fully decodable books that are carefully matched to the sounds and words they have been taught.

This gives children the opportunity to apply their phonic knowledge successfully, reread familiar texts and develop accuracy, fluency and confidence.

We want children to experience success as readers and avoid asking them to use strategies that are not consistent with the phonics they have been taught.

Developing Fluency and Comprehension

Learning to read is about more than recognising words. Through repeated reading, discussion and high-quality teaching, children develop their fluency, expression, vocabulary and understanding of what they read.

As children become increasingly fluent readers, they are supported to engage with a broad range of increasingly challenging texts.

Reading for Pleasure

Alongside the systematic teaching of phonics, we want every child at Hatchell Wood to develop a genuine love of reading.

Children regularly hear adults read high-quality texts aloud and have opportunities to enjoy and discuss stories, poetry and non-fiction. Our wider reading provision enables children to encounter books and authors beyond those used for phonics instruction.

Working with Parents and Carers

We recognise the important role that families play in supporting children to become confident readers.

We provide information and guidance to help parents and carers understand how phonics is taught through RWI and how they can support reading at home.

Children are encouraged to read regularly at home, with books and reading practice carefully supporting the learning taking place in school.

Phonics Screening Check

Children in Year 1 take the statutory Phonics Screening Check during the summer term. The check assesses whether children can use their phonic knowledge to decode a range of real and pseudo-words.

Children who do not meet the expected standard in Year 1 receive continued phonics teaching and support and retake the check in Year 2.