At Rowan Gate reading and writing is taught through the Read, Write, Inc. programme (RWI). The scheme, however, is adapted to suit the needs of each of the pupils. This means that some pupils are taught in whole class session, smaller groups and/or one to one. Pupils may also be placed on the scheme with a different focus, for example learning the sounds or working through the reading books.

Within this programme there are clear steps of progression using quality resources. Within Speed Sounds lessons teachers undertake a step by step process of teaching each speed sound, blending for reading and segmenting for spelling. The Handbook provides guidance on implementing RWI phonics, including initial and on-going assessment.

The programme begins with learning the letter and sounds
introducing all 44 sounds and corresponding graphemes moving on to applying phonics knowledge to reading books and writing.

There is a minimum requirement at Rowan Gate that discrete short sessions take place daily in EYFS and KS1 for sound learning and early blending accompanied by discrete sessions for early readers. This requirement is the same for KS2 with one formal lesson a week, consolidated through the week in Key Skills activities, differentiated into three groups, for example:

• Group 1 – sound learning and early blending
• Group 2 – high frequency and tricky words and emergent early readers
• Group 3 – Comprehension based activities for more fluent readers

Evidence from the English data (using Onwards and Upwards) shows that children’s progress in reading and writing through the use of RWI has continued.

In addition to Read, Write Inc Kinetic Letters has now been introduced across the school to support letter formation.

Children have access to a variety of fiction and non-fiction reading books, organised using reading bands. These reading schemes include RWI, Oxford Reading Tree and Big Cat books.