Phonics and Reading
Phonics
At Sandy Lane we use the Read, Write Inc (RWI) Phonics Programme: a systematic programme for the teaching of phonics, reading, spelling and early writing. Our aim is for all pupils to start their journey to reading with confidence, developing a love of reading and, in turn, to apply their skills to writing.
Read Write Inc. Phonics is the UK’s number one systematic synthetic phonics programme. Children develop reading fluency and comprehension, spell and write with confidence and learn to articulate their ideas and understanding.
Created by Dame Ruth Miskin, it is a complete literacy programme for children from Reception (P1) to Year 4 (P5), and children with SEND in older year groups.
The programme is published by Oxford University Press and includes comprehensive planning for daily phonics lessons and reading, spelling and writing activities. It also includes decodable storybooks and home readers.
- Every lesson connects with the last and each activity connects with the next: the phonics, the reading and writing.
- Children work in targeted progress groups so they can all participate. No child is ever left behind. They are assessed each half term to ensure the speediest progress.
- Talking is at the heart of every lesson. Children learn the routines that enable them to explain and practise what they’ve been taught with a partner.
- One-to-one tutoring provides quick keep up and long-term support for children with SEND.
Please visit the link below to find out more:
Reading
Reading enjoyment has been reported as more important for children’s educational success than their family’s socio-economic status (OECD, 2002). Students who enjoy reading the most perform significantly better than students who enjoy reading the least (OCED, 2009). Only 1 in 5 pupils choose to read independently in their own time daily (National Literacy Trust, 2025). At Sandy Lane, we believe that we can inspire all children to want to read for both knowledge acquisition and for pleasure and become a life-long reader.