What is Read Write Inc?

Read Write Inc. Phonics, Literacy & Language, Fresh Start and Spelling are highly successful literacy programmes for 4-13 year-olds created by Ruth Miskin and published by Oxford University Press. The training and support from Ruth Miskin Training, rated Outstanding by the Department for Education, ensure the programmes have the best chance of success in schools.

Read Write Inc (RWI) is a phonics complete literacy programme which helps all children learn to read fluently and at speed so they can focus on developing their skills in comprehension, vocabulary and spelling.  

RWI was developed by Ruth Miskin and more information for parents can be found on their website.

Here is a video that we urge parents to watch again to really help them understand the scheme their children are practising at school.

How will my child be taught to read at Heathermount?

We start by teaching phonics to the children in Foundation, Maple and Ash classes. 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. Children are supported based on their stage not age and as children join us throughout their educational journey here, we will support them with whatever their literacy needs are, regardless of their age or school year. Regular assessments are done throughout the school year and an annual online Reading Age test too to track their progress.

Progressing through the stages

Children in Early Years are introduced to initial sounds. Children then begin to learn how to 'read' the sound in words and how those sounds can be written down. As children progress, they follow the same format as Early Years but will work on complex sounds and read books appropriate to their reading level. Daily sessions of RWI phonics last 30 minutes. Reading in embedded in everything the children do and learn here at Heathermount and they are encouraged to read wherever they are around the school throughout the day.

Five key principles underpin the teaching in all Read Write Inc. sessions:  

Purpose – know the purpose of every activity and share it with the children, so they know the one thing they should be thinking about

Participation – ensure every child participates throughout the lesson. Partnership work is fundamental to learning

Praise – ensure children are praised for effort and learning, not ability

Pace – teach at an effective pace and devote every moment to teaching and learning

Passion – be passionate about teaching, so children can be engaged emotionally.

This video will help you to understand and be able to support how to correctly say the sounds.

Here is how to say the sounds: 

Below are some useful documents that explain the scheme clearly to help you help your child read at home.