Intent

At Woolton Primary School (WPS), we are committed to ensuring that all children learn to read and write fluently and confidently through the delivery of the Read Write Inc. (RWI) Phonics programme. We recognise that every child is unique and that children learn in different ways; therefore, our phonics curriculum is inclusive, ambitious and designed to meet the needs of all learners.

We provide a lively, engaging and language-rich learning environment that enables children to develop their knowledge and skills to their full potential. We firmly believe that secure phonics knowledge is fundamental to success across the wider curriculum and underpins children’s future learning.

We have high expectations for all pupils, including those in the lowest 20%, and are committed to ensuring that no child is left behind. Our aim is for all children to make expected or better progress from their individual starting points in phonics and early reading.

Our phonics and early reading curriculum aims to:

• Ensure all children make rapid and sustained progress in phonics and reading, regardless of background or ability
• Develop confident, fluent readers with a secure understanding of words, language and texts
• Foster a lifelong love of reading

Implementation

Teaching and Learning

At WPS, children’s reading journey begins in Nursery, where we adopt a ‘talk-a-lot, read-a-lot’ approach. The primary focus is on developing spoken language, vocabulary and a love of books through high-quality stories, rhymes and planned opportunities for talk throughout the day.

In Nursery, children:

• Learn to pronounce each letter of the alphabet using pure sounds
• Develop early oral blending skills
• Recognise images linked to sounds

Phoneme–grapheme correspondence teaching begins in the Summer term, with children learning a new sound daily through short, focused sessions.

The Read Write Inc. Phonics programme continues throughout Early Years and Key Stage 1, ensuring progression and consistency. Teachers plan and deliver lessons following the RWI structure, resulting in a shared approach and common language across the school.

In Reception, teaching places a strong emphasis on the alphabetic code. Children rapidly learn sounds and the letters or groups of letters that represent them. Simple mnemonics support memory and recall, particularly benefiting pupils who may be at risk of slower progress. Learning is consolidated daily, and children practise reading common exception words with irregular spellings.  During Autumn 2 children are grouped according to their phonics attainment across the cohort. This enables pupils to progress through the RWI programme at a pace appropriate to their needs and allows teachers to plan targeted, ability-specific lessons.

The progression to Year 1 takes a fluid approach, children continue to be grouped according to their phonics attainment across the cohort, allowing pupils to progress through the RWI programme at a pace appropriate to their needs. More confident readers are supported to develop spelling patterns, comprehension and early grammar skills. The programme allows for flexible movement between groups to ensure progress is maximised.

Through Read Write Inc. Phonics, children learn to:

• Decode letter–sound correspondences accurately and fluently
• Read common exception words on sight
• Read aloud with confidence, fluency and expression
• Demonstrate understanding of what they read
• Write confidently with increasing focus on vocabulary, grammar and sentence structure
• Spell accurately by segmenting sounds in words
• Develop clear, consistent handwriting

Year 2 combines daily RWI Phonics lessons for those children remaining in the programme leading to our RWI spelling programme and WPS guided reading programme.

Assessment and Monitoring

Robust assessment procedures are in place to track the progress of all pupils. All children are assessed using the RWI Entry Assessment, including those who join the school mid-year, enabling accurate baseline assessment and effective tracking from starting points.

Pupils in Early Years and Key Stage 1 are assessed half-termly, with additional assessments carried out where teachers identify accelerated progress. The RWI programme supports continuous movement between groups, ensuring teaching remains responsive and matched to pupils’ needs.

The Phonics Leader works closely with the EYFS Leader and Key Stage leaders to monitor progress, analyse data and ensure continuity and progression across phases.

Staff Development

Ongoing professional development is central to ensuring high-quality phonics teaching. All staff delivering phonics are trained in the Read Write Inc. programme and have access to the RWI portal, which provides lesson plans, assessment materials and training videos.

The Phonics Leader provides regular support through:

• Drop-in coaching sessions
• Modelled lessons
• Ongoing monitoring and feedback

This ensures consistency, fidelity to the programme and continual improvement in teaching practice.

Impact

At Woolton Primary School, our phonics provision ensures that children develop the skills, knowledge and confidence to become fluent readers with a genuine enjoyment of reading.

Progression expectations are clearly defined and closely monitored from Early Years through to Year 2.

Expected Progression

Reception

• End of Autumn 1: Read single-letter Set 1 sounds
• End of Autumn term: Read all Set 1 sounds; orally blend sounds into words
• End of Spring 1: Blend sounds to read words; read Ditty stories
• End of Spring term: Read Red Storybooks
• End of Summer 1: Read Green Storybooks; begin Set 2 sounds
• End of Summer term: Read Green or Purple Storybooks

Year 1

• End of Autumn 1: Read Purple Storybooks; read some Set 2 sounds
• End of Autumn term: Read Pink Storybooks; read all Set 2 sounds
• End of Spring 1: Read Orange Storybooks; read some Set 3 sounds
• End of Spring term: Read Yellow Storybooks
• End of Summer 1: Read Yellow Storybooks; read all Set 3 sounds
• End of Summer term: Read Blue Storybooks

Year 2

• End of Autumn 1: Read Blue Storybooks
• End of Autumn term: Read Blue Storybooks with increasing fluency and comprehension
• End of Spring 1: Read Grey Storybooks
• End of Spring term: Read Grey Storybooks with fluency and comprehension
• End of Summer term: Access Read Write Inc. Comprehension and Spelling programmes