Phonics

Vision:

At Ryders Hayes, we aim to inspire every child to become a confident, fluent reader and passionate communicator: unlocking language without fear, exploring the power of words, and discovering the world through early reading curiosity. 

 

Curriculum Drivers:

Through our Phonics curriculum built upon the Read Write Inc. (RWI) programme:

 

• Explore Possibilities: Pupils explore possibilities by unlocking new sounds, rich vocabulary, and diverse stories that broaden their horizons and foster a lifelong love of reading

• Create Independence: Pupils build reading independence by mastering sound-blending and decoding strategies, applying these skills across the curriculum to read and spell with autonomy.

• Build Resilience: Pupils build lasting resilience through systematic practice, embracing mistakes as learning opportunities as they tackle challenging texts and increasingly complex sound patterns.

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Intent:

• Build progressive confidence in foundational phonics skills, systematic synthetic phonics, pure sound pronunciation, speed sounds, blending for reading (Fred Talk), and segmenting for spelling (Fred Fingers), using structured Read Write Inc. materials and resources. 

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Implementation:

• Expose children to a diverse spectrum of high-quality texts, fiction, non-fiction, and poetry that broaden their cultural horizons, enrich spoken vocabulary, and nurture a deep enjoyment of storytelling. 

• Encourage pupils to make independent decoding choices and transfer phonic knowledge confidently into all reading and writing tasks, moving beyond mechanical decoding to genuine reading comprehension and expression. 

• Assess pupils half-termly using RWI diagnostic assessments to place children in precise, speed-sound-matched reading groups, ensuring teaching targets their exact stage of phonics development for maximum progress. 

• Teach pure sounds consistently, using "Fred Talk" daily to model blending and segmenting so children master the fundamental mechanics of reading and writing. 

• Prioritise deep secure learning and accurate retention of Set 1, Set 2, and Set 3 speed sounds alongside key Red Words (tricky/exception words) before accelerating children through storybook levels. 

• Embed partner work ("Turn and Talk") and specific phonic/linguistic vocabulary so pupils can articulate sound-spelling correspondences, discuss story themes constructively, and express their ideas fluently. 

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Intended Impact:

• By the time children complete the Read Write Inc. programme and transition into Key Stage 2, they see themselves as capable, fluent readers with the technical confidence to decode unfamiliar words, the resilience to tackle challenging texts, and a lifelong love of reading.