Phonics and Spelling

Intent

At James Oglethorpe Primary School, we are determined that every child will learn to read, regardless of their background, needs or abilities. We recognise that reading is the gateway to the rest of the curriculum and underpins all future learning. Our intent is to ensure that:

• All pupils develop fluency, accuracy and automaticity in reading.

• Every child has the opportunity to foster a genuine love of reading, developing both word recognition and comprehension skills.

• Gaps in knowledge are identified and addressed early, so no child is left behind.

• Parents and carers are supported in helping their children to practise and enjoy reading at home.

We aim for children to leave Key Stage 1 as confident, fluent readers who can access the wider curriculum with independence and enthusiasm.

Implementation

We follow the Read Write Inc. (RWI) programme with fidelity, ensuring a consistent, systematic approach to the teaching of phonics and early reading:

• Daily Phonics Lessons: Children in EYFS and Key Stage 1 receive daily RWI sessions, delivered in small, ability-based groups to ensure teaching is precisely matched to pupils’ needs. Sessions are fast-paced, highly structured and engaging, focusing on:

  • Speed Sounds – recognising and recalling sounds quickly.

  • Blending – decoding sounds to read words accurately.

  • Segmenting – breaking words into sounds to support accurate spelling.

  • Reading for Meaning – ensuring comprehension and fluency.

• Decodable Books: Pupils take home RWI Book Bag Books matched to their phonics stage, giving them immediate opportunities to apply their learning and experience success. This builds confidence and enjoyment in reading.

• Assessment and Grouping: Children are assessed every half-term by trained RWI leaders. This ensures pupils are grouped by stage rather than age, enabling precise teaching and rapid progress. Struggling readers are quickly identified and given additional support through targeted 1:1 or small group interventions.

• Staff Training and Consistency: All staff delivering RWI are trained rigorously and receive regular coaching to maintain high-quality phonics teaching across the school. Lesson delivery is consistent, with common routines, language and expectations.

• Parental Engagement: Parents are supported through workshops, guidance videos and regular communication about how phonics is taught and how they can help at home.

• Transition and Beyond: Once pupils complete the RWI programme, they move seamlessly into whole-class reading lessons and access a wider range of literature, equipped with the skills to read fluently and confidently.

Impact

The impact of our RWI phonics programme is seen in the progress our children make as readers and the positive attitudes they develop towards reading:

• Fluent, Confident Readers: By the end of Key Stage 1, the majority of children can read accurately, fluently and with comprehension. This gives them the tools to access the wider curriculum and fosters a lifelong love of reading.

• Closing Gaps Early: Children who may struggle with reading are quickly identified and provided with targeted support, ensuring gaps are addressed before they widen.

• Positive Outcomes: Our pupils consistently achieve well in the national Phonics Screening Check in Year 1 and Year 2 (where needed). Internal assessments also demonstrate strong progress across EYFS and Key Stage 1.

• Love of Reading: Beyond attainment, children show enthusiasm for reading, pride in their achievements, and confidence when tackling new and unfamiliar words.

• Preparation for the Future: By the time children leave the programme, they are equipped with the decoding skills and fluency required to access more complex texts. This strong foundation allows them to thrive as readers and writers throughout Key Stage 2 and beyond.