Cross Lane Primary School

At Cross Lane, we use the Ruth Miskin ‘Read Write Inc’ scheme for teaching phonics.  This is a government approved scheme and is renowned for achieving excellent results. Phonics is taught by our enthusiastic and dedicated teachers and teaching assistants who show full fidelity to the scheme. We have been using RWI since 2019 and all staff will have up to date CPD in September 2024.

Phase 1 Phonics begins in Nursery where children are introduced to environmental sounds, instrumental sounds, body percussion, rhythm, rhymes, alliteration, oral blending and initial sounds. The RWI scheme is then taught at the start of Reception. Children are assessed on a 1:1 basis every half term and then put into homogenous groups so that each child is working at the right level for their ability. 

Each lesson features Speed Sounds (learning and reviewing sounds), Word Time (reading words with new and review sounds in) Spelling and Story Time ( learning story words, reading with a partner and comprehension).

Children who have been identified as "at risk" receive daily RWI intervention to ensure they keep up with their group.

Families can also support at home with phonics.  Once children become proficient blenders, they will bring home a book that is linked to the one currently being read in school each week. Every Friday, staff will upload videos onto Seasaw so phonics can be practiced and embedded at home. We run workshops for families throughout the year to help you with phonics and reading at home and each time your child is assessed and placed into a new group you will receive a parent guide so you are kept up to date with your child’s progress.

For more information about RWI please follow the links below.

https://www.ruthmiskin.com/parentsandcarers/

https://home.oxfordowl.co.uk/reading/reading-schemes-oxford-levels/read-write-inc-phonics-guide/