Phonics at Our School: Read Write Inc.

At Shiremoor Primary School, we are passionate about developing confident, capable readers and writers from the very beginning of their learning journey. To achieve this, we use the highly successful Read Write Inc. Phonics programme, created by Ruth Miskin, as the foundation of our early literacy teaching.

Read Write Inc. is a structured, systematic approach to phonics that enables children to learn the sounds they need to read and spell words accurately. Alongside phonics, children are introduced to 'Red Words'—common tricky words that cannot be sounded out using phonics alone, such as said, one, and what. Learning these words by sight helps children read more fluently and confidently.

Children also enjoy a wide range of lively, fully decodable storybooks that are closely matched to their phonics knowledge. These books build fluency, strengthen comprehension skills, and foster a love of reading through engaging characters and exciting plots.

As part of each lesson, children participate in writing activities that are inspired by the stories they read. They learn to form sentences, apply phonics in spelling, and use punctuation and grammar appropriately. This integrated approach means that reading and writing develop together, supporting children to become confident, independent communicators.

Through Read Write Inc., we aim to give every child the best possible start in literacy, laying strong foundations for lifelong learning and success.