Phonics
Phonics at Wellgate
At Wellgate, we want every child to become a confident, fluent and enthusiastic reader. Learning to read is one of the most important foundations of a child’s education, which is why we place such a strong emphasis on high-quality phonics teaching from the very beginning.
Read Write Inc. Phonics
We teach early reading through Read Write Inc. Phonics (RWI), a systematic synthetic phonics programme developed by Ruth Miskin.
Through carefully structured, daily lessons, children learn to:
From Sounds to Fluent Reading
In Read Write Inc., children learn the English speech sounds and the different ways these sounds can be written.
You may hear your child talking about Fred Talk. Fred is a Read Write Inc. character who can only speak in sounds!
Children learn to hear and blend sounds together, for example:
c-a-t → cat
As their phonic knowledge develops, children become increasingly able to recognise words automatically. This helps them move from sounding out individual words towards fluent, expressive reading with understanding.
Reading and Writing Together
Phonics supports much more than word reading. Read Write Inc. connects reading, spelling, handwriting, vocabulary and writing, helping children apply what they have learned across the curriculum.
The books children read are carefully matched to the sounds they have already been taught. This means children can experience success, practise their developing skills and build confidence as readers.
Supporting Every Child
Children learn at different rates. We regularly assess children's phonics knowledge and use this information to identify where additional practice or support may be needed.
Children who need extra help receive targeted support so that they can keep up rather than catch up. We continue to support pupils with phonics for as long as they need it.
Phonics Screening Check
Children usually take the statutory Phonics Screening Check in Year 1 during June.
The check allows schools to identify whether children have learned the phonic knowledge and decoding skills expected by the end of Year 1. Children read a mixture of real words and pseudo-words (sometimes called alien words), allowing them to demonstrate how well they can apply their phonics knowledge to unfamiliar words.
Children who do not meet the expected standard in Year 1 receive continued phonics support and usually take the check again in Year 2.
How Families Can Help
Reading at home makes an enormous difference. Families can support children by:
At Wellgate, phonics gives children the roots of strong early reading skills so that, as their confidence and fluency grow, they have the wings to become lifelong readers and learners.
At Wellgate, we want every child to become a confident, fluent and enthusiastic reader. Learning to read is one of the most important foundations of a child’s education, which is why we place such a strong emphasis on high-quality phonics teaching from the very beginning.
Read Write Inc. Phonics
We teach early reading through Read Write Inc. Phonics (RWI), a systematic synthetic phonics programme developed by Ruth Miskin.
Through carefully structured, daily lessons, children learn to:
- recognise the sounds represented by letters and groups of letters;
- blend sounds together to read words accurately;
- read common words quickly and confidently;
- develop accurate spelling and handwriting;
- read books that are closely matched to the sounds they know;
- build fluency, expression and understanding; and
- talk confidently about the books they read.
From Sounds to Fluent Reading
In Read Write Inc., children learn the English speech sounds and the different ways these sounds can be written.
You may hear your child talking about Fred Talk. Fred is a Read Write Inc. character who can only speak in sounds!
Children learn to hear and blend sounds together, for example:
c-a-t → cat
As their phonic knowledge develops, children become increasingly able to recognise words automatically. This helps them move from sounding out individual words towards fluent, expressive reading with understanding.
Reading and Writing Together
Phonics supports much more than word reading. Read Write Inc. connects reading, spelling, handwriting, vocabulary and writing, helping children apply what they have learned across the curriculum.
The books children read are carefully matched to the sounds they have already been taught. This means children can experience success, practise their developing skills and build confidence as readers.
Supporting Every Child
Children learn at different rates. We regularly assess children's phonics knowledge and use this information to identify where additional practice or support may be needed.
Children who need extra help receive targeted support so that they can keep up rather than catch up. We continue to support pupils with phonics for as long as they need it.
Phonics Screening Check
Children usually take the statutory Phonics Screening Check in Year 1 during June.
The check allows schools to identify whether children have learned the phonic knowledge and decoding skills expected by the end of Year 1. Children read a mixture of real words and pseudo-words (sometimes called alien words), allowing them to demonstrate how well they can apply their phonics knowledge to unfamiliar words.
Children who do not meet the expected standard in Year 1 receive continued phonics support and usually take the check again in Year 2.
How Families Can Help
Reading at home makes an enormous difference. Families can support children by:
- listening to them read regularly;
- encouraging them to use the sounds they have been taught;
- practising Read Write Inc. sounds and words sent home;
- rereading familiar books to develop fluency; and
- sharing stories and talking about books together.
At Wellgate, phonics gives children the roots of strong early reading skills so that, as their confidence and fluency grow, they have the wings to become lifelong readers and learners.
