phonics-banner

Read, Write Inc Phonics Programme

Our school uses a reading programme called Read Write inc. Children embark on this during either the last term in Nursery or the first term in Reception. 

Read Write Inc Ruth Miskin Training for Parents - YouTube

Set 2 Sounds and QR Codes

Please select the document below.

Click to Download Set 2 QR Codes - Valid until 28th October 2026 [pdf 823KB] Click to Download

Speed Sound Set List:

The speed sound list will show you which set of sounds your child is working on. You will know which set they are on through looking at your child's spellings. Then you can see which sounds they are learning next and assist on these. 

 

Speed Sound Chart:

A Speed Sound Chart which will show you all of the sounds and ‘Special Friends’ that your child is learning how to read.

 

Letter formation Rhymes

The letter formation rhymes will help when writing letters to ensure they are correctly formed.

 

Progression of Red Words

The Red words progression document will assist learning red words that are suited to your child's reading book band.

Please click on the picture link to learn more about how phonics is taught at St Marys.

For additional information about phonics and letter formation, please download the documents below.

Click to Download Progression of Red Words through the Storybooks [pdf 401KB] Click to Download
Click to Download Speed Sound Chart [pdf 282KB] Click to Download
Click to Download Speed Sound Sets List [pdf 216KB] Click to Download
Click to Download Letter Formation Rhymes [pdf 2MB] Click to Download
Click to Download Phonics Sounds - Read Write Inc [pdf 478KB] Click to Download

Phonics Sounds and Support

Please select from the documents below.

Click to Download All Sets Sounds [pdf 577KB] Click to Download
Click to Download RWI Sound Mats [pdf 250KB] Click to Download
Click to Download Sound Chart [pdf 4MB] Click to Download

Flashcards

Please select from the documents below.

Click to Download Set 1 RWI Flashcards [pdf 612KB] Click to Download
Click to Download Set 2 RWI Flashcards [pdf 616KB] Click to Download
Click to Download Set 3 RWI Flashcards [pdf 2MB] Click to Download

Parent Support

Please select from the documents below.

Click to Download Parent Booklet 1 [pdf 4MB] Click to Download
Click to Download Parent Booklet 2 [pdf 5MB] Click to Download

Green Words and Red Words

Please select from the documents below.

Click to Download Green Words Set 1 [pdf 315KB] Click to Download
Click to Download Green Words Set 2 [pdf 280KB] Click to Download
Click to Download Green Words Set 3 [pdf 201KB] Click to Download
Click to Download Red Ditty Words [pdf 209KB] Click to Download

Parent and Carer Videos

Read Write Inc Frequently Asked Questions

Learning to read is the most important thing your child will learn at our school. Everything else depends on it, so we put as much energy as we possibly can into making sure that every single child learns to read as quickly as possible.

We want your child to love reading – and to want to read for themselves. This is why we put our efforts into making sure they develop a love of books as well as simply learning to read.

How will my child be taught to read?

We start by teaching phonics to the children. This means that they learn how to ‘read’ the sounds in words and how those sounds can be written down. This is essential for reading, but it also helps children learn to spell well. We teach the children simple ways of remembering these sounds and letters. Ask them to show you what these are.

The children also practise reading (and spelling) what we call ‘tricky words’, such as ‘once,’ ‘have,’ ‘said’ and ‘where’.

The children practise their reading with books that match the phonics and the ‘tricky words’ they know. They start thinking that they can read and this does wonders for their confidence.

The teachers read to the children, too, so the children get to know all sorts of stories, poetry and information books. They learn many more words this way and it also helps their writing.

What can I do to help?  Is there anything I should be doing?

You will be invited to a meeting so that we can explain how we teach reading. Please come and support your child. We would very much like you to know how to help.

Your child will bring different sorts of books home from school. It helps if you know whether this is a book that your child can read on their own (Cosy Read) or whether this is a book they may need help to read.  Please trust your child’s teacher to choose the book(s) that will help your child the most.

Help your child to sound out the letters in words and then to ‘push’ the sounds together to make a whole word. Try not to refer to the letters by their names. Help your child to focus on the sounds. You can hear how to say the sounds correctly by searching on YouTube for ‘Read Write Inc. Phonemes Pronunciation Guide’

Sometimes your child might bring home a picture book that they know well. Please don’t say, ‘This is too easy.’ Instead, encourage your child to tell you the story out loud; ask them questions about things that happen or what they think about some of the characters in the story.

We know parents and carers are very busy people. But please try to find time to read to your child as much as possible, it helps him or her to learn about books and stories. They also learn new words and what they mean. Show that you are interested in reading yourself and talk about reading as a family.

You can find out about good stories to read to your child by clicking on the picture link at the top of the page.

Does it matter if my child misses a lesson or two?

It matters a lot if your child misses school. The way we teach children to read is very well organised, so even one missed lesson means that your child has not learnt something that they need to know to be a good reader.

What if my child finds it difficult to read?

We want children to learn to read, however long it takes us to teach them. We will find out very quickly if your child is finding reading difficult. First, we move children to a different group, so that we can make sure that they have learnt what they need to know.

If we have any serious worries about your child’s reading, we will talk to you about this.

Some children take a bit longer to learn to put sounds together to read a word, e.g. c-a-t to make the word ‘cat’.

What if my child is dyslexic?

The way we teach reading is especially helpful for children who might be dyslexic. This is because we use a very well-organised programme that has a strong focus on phonics. This is very important for children who find learning to read difficult. If you are worried about your child, please come and talk to us.

My child has difficulty pronouncing some sounds.  Will this stop them learning to read through phonics?

This isn’t a problem for learning to read as long as we know what sound the child is trying to say. This is not something to worry about. Many children have a few sounds that they can hear clearly but find it difficult to say, particularly the l-sound, r-sound, w-sound, th-sound, s-sound, sh-sound and j-sound. Often they say a t-sound for the c-sound; "tttssh" for the s-sound; "w" for the r-sound and "r" for the l-sound. You can help your child by encouraging him or her to look at your mouth when you say the sound. Whatever you do, do not make your child feel a failure. They can easily learn to read, even if they find one or two sounds difficult to say.

Yearly Expectations

Please select from the documents below.

Click to Download Reception Yearly Expectations - Reading [pdf 216KB] Click to Download
Click to Download Year 1 Yearly Expectations - Reading [pdf 418KB] Click to Download
Click to Download Year 2 Yearly Expectations - Reading [pdf 162KB] Click to Download