English

Phonics and Early Reading

“Once you learn to read, you will be forever free.” — Frederick Douglass.

Reading is the most important skill that children will learn at school and as such, it receives a high priority in our curriculum, not least the acquisition of early reading skills. This is achieved through a systematic phonics programme. The school has recently adopted the Read, Write, Inc phonics programme (which has been approved by the Department for Education).

Read Write Inc. Phonics is the UK’s number one systematic synthetic phonics programme. Children develop reading fluency and comprehension, spell and write with confidence and learn to articulate their ideas and understanding.

• Every lesson connects with the last and each activity connects with the next: the phonics, the reading and writing. 

• Children work in targeted progress groups so they can all participate. No child is ever left behind. They are assessed each half term to ensure the speediest progress. 

• Talking is at the heart of every lesson. Children learn the routines that enable them to explain and practise what they’ve been taught with a partner.

Towards the end of Year 1, pupils undertake a phonics screening assessment. They are normally expected to identify at least 32 of the 40 sounds and words presented in order to meet the expected threshold. Those who fall below the threshold will receive further support in Year 2 in order to meet the threshold when they are assessed again at the end of Year 2.

Pupils are normally introduced to phonics in their pre-school setting although they may use other programmes to the one we use at Shebbear School.

You’ll find more information on phonics for parents and carers here:  (Currently being updated)

Reading for Pleasure

Reading progression SCS

Helping your child with reading at home: We ask that pupils of all ages (including the oldest and most able readers) are heard reading at home as often as possible.  Whilst your child is on the RWI phonics scheme, the book they will bring home will be one which they have practiced in school and they should be able to read confidently with you.  After pupils have completed the RWI phonics schemes, the school will encourage your child to choose high quality texts which challenge their reading ability but continue to foster their love of reading.  We prioritise reading as a key element of the children’s homework. Hearing the children read helps build confidence and gives adults at home the opportunity to see how their reading is developing while having the opportunity to offer corrections and advice to improve further. As well as being able to read fluently, the children need to develop a good comprehension of what they have read. This may mean understanding what a particular word or expression means, being able to retrieve a particular piece of information, predict what may happen next in the story or being able to interpret what the author is trying to get across to the reader.

The following document may help with this by suggesting possible questions that you could use.

Reading questions for children reading at home

These links may also be useful when hearing your child read at home but also how to encourage them to read as much as they can.

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/10-top-tips-to-encourage-children-to-read/10-top-tips-to-encourage-children-to-read

https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/articles/zbxby9q

https://www.booktrust.org.uk/books-and-reading/tips-and-advice/reading-tips/

Writing

Vision statement, long-term writing plan (currently being updated)

Handwriting Policy 2026

Writing in Year 2 (after completion of RWI Get Writing) and KS2 is taught through The Write Stuff approach by Jane Considine. This method allows pupils to improve their oracy and widen their vocabulary in every lesson, whilst deepening their understanding of writerly choices. Pupils love their writing lessons and can’t wait to show what they’ve learnt in their independent extended pieces at the end of each unit.

All our writing is taught through the ‘writing rainbow’ which provides a lens for the writer to focus through in order to ensure all writing is effective and engaging for the reader, whilst meeting the intended purpose.

Long-term writing plan 2025 2026