Read Write Inc (RWI) is a phonics complete literacy programme which helps children learn to read fluently and at speed so they can focus on developing their skills in comprehension, vocabulary and spelling.  We aim to use the programme within our primary provision.

RWI was developed by Ruth Miskin and more information on this can be found at https://ruthmiskin.com/en/find-out-more/parents/.

For our Key Stage 3 cohort we use Fresh Start. However, we will continue teaching Fresh Start to students beyond Key Stage 3 if they still need support in developing their early reading and writing skills.

Read Write Inc. Fresh Start is a phonics-based catch-up programme designed by Ruth Miskin for students aged 9 to 13+ (Years 5 to 8) who are reading below their age-related expectations. It uses a "grown-up" version of the Read Write Inc. Phonics approach to accelerate reading and writing progress.

• Age-Appropriate Resources: Features 34 "Modules" and seven "Anthologies" with topics and illustrations designed to appeal to older students rather than younger children.
• Structured Lessons: We aim for daily sessions (typically 25–30 minutes) focus on speed sounds, word decoding, and fluent reading.
• Integrated Writing: Each module includes activities for spelling, punctuation, and writing to build overall literacy confidence.
• Diagnostic Assessment: Includes a quick entry assessment to ensure students start at their specific "challenge point". 

All children are assessed regularly by class leads to ensure that students are making progress and programmes are tailored to the needs of the students, allowing complete participation in lessons.

When appropriate, students will be introduced to the initial sounds in short sessions. To begin with some students may learn a sound a term and build this up over time to be learning a sound a week. We use pure sounds so that students will be able to blend the sounds into words more easily. 

e.g. mmaisie mmmountain is morphed into m, t-t-t-tower is morphed into t.

Students will learn how to ‘read’ and 'write' all of the sounds in Set 1 and then be taught how to blend these into words. In some classes, Fred Frog helps students to blend the sounds together, which is then used to help students to read. The class team will often use the phrase 'Fred talk' to sound out words.

The students take part in lessons regularly across the week, progressing to reading books when appropriate. They also learn how to spell red words (words that cannot be sounded out).

Once students know all Set 1 sounds by sight and sound and can use them to blend to read words, we start teaching Set 2 initially and then Set 3 long vowel sounds.

Depending on the cohort, sessions can also be delivered using the virtual classroom, which staff access through the Ruth Miskin portal or through Attention Autism, bringing the sound to life and making it real for our learners. Attention Autism sessions may, for example, expose learners to a range of objects/items that begin with the taught sound i.e. ‘e’ – envelope, ‘e’ – empty, ‘e’ – egg. 

Set 1 Sounds are taught in the following order together with rhymes to help children form the letters correctly and instantly recognise sounds ready for blending.

Students are then taught Set 2 Sounds - the long vowels. When they are very confident with all of set 1 and 2, they are taught Set 3 Sounds.