Reading and Phonics

At Spring Lane Primary School, reading is central to our curriculum and our children’s success. Through a robust and inclusive programme, we aim to foster confident, fluent readers who develop a lifelong love of books.


We use the Read Write Inc. (RWI) programme to teach phonics in Early Years and Key Stage 1, laying a strong foundation for reading. For Key Stage 2, we use the Accelerated Reader (AR) programme to build comprehension skills and encourage independent reading.


 


Intent

At Spring Lane Primary, our reading and phonics curriculum is designed to ensure every child becomes a skilled reader, regardless of their starting point. Our inclusive approach supports all children, including those with English as an additional language (EAL) and special educational needs (SEND).

Our intent is to:

  • Develop confident and fluent readers who enjoy reading.
  • Lay strong foundations in phonics to support early reading.
  • Build comprehension skills through exposure to a wide range of texts.
  • Foster independent reading habits by introducing children to diverse genres, cultures, and perspectives.
  • Empower children to use reading as a tool for learning across the curriculum.


Implementation


Phonics – Read Write Inc. (RWI)

What is RWI?
Read Write Inc. is a systematic phonics programme designed to teach children to decode words, develop fluency, and build confidence in reading.


How do we teach phonics?

  • Daily lessons where children learn new sounds and practice blending.
  • Children are grouped by phonics ability for targeted teaching.
  • Decodable books matched to their phonics level build fluency and comprehension.
  • Regular assessments ensure children are making progress and support is tailored to their needs.


Why RWI?

  • Builds a solid foundation in phonics for all learners.
  • Encourages a love of reading with engaging texts.
  • Provides structure for children to succeed in early reading.


Independent Reading – Accelerated Reader (AR)


What is AR?
Accelerated Reader is a programme that supports independent reading by helping children choose appropriately challenging books and tracking their comprehension through quizzes.


How does it work?

  • Pupils take a Star Reading test to determine their reading range.
  • They select books from our library within their range (ZPD).
  • After reading, they take quizzes to assess understanding and earn points, motivating further reading.

Why AR?

  • Encourages reading for pleasure and fosters a love for books.
  • Tracks progress and comprehension, allowing teachers to support individual learning goals.
  • Exposes children to a wide variety of texts, broadening their literary experience.


Impact


The impact of our reading and phonics curriculum is measured through:


  • Pupil Outcomes: Monitoring progress through assessments, pupil interviews, and book scrutinies.
  • Progress Tracking: Regular assessments ensure children stay on track to meet age-related expectations.
  • Confidence in Reading: Children develop fluency, comprehension, and a love for books.


At Spring Lane Primary, we shape futures by ensuring our children:


  • Are fluent and confident readers who enjoy reading.
  • Apply their phonics knowledge to decode unfamiliar words.
  • Understand and engage with texts across a variety of genres.
  • Use reading to support learning across the curriculum.
  • Build resilience and independence in their reading journey.


Supporting Reading at home


We value the role families play in supporting reading. You can help by:

  • Listening to your child read regularly.
  • Discussing stories and characters to build comprehension.
  • Encouraging independent reading and celebrating achievements.


Together, we create a love of reading that lasts a lifetime.


Share by: