Phonics at Upwell Academy

At Upwell Academy, our intent is to ensure that every child becomes a confident, fluent reader and writer as early as possible. We believe that reading is the gateway to all learning and that systematic phonics teaching is essential for academic success. Through the Read Write Inc. (RWI) Phonics programme, we aim to:

• Teach all children to decode quickly and accurately using a structured, synthetic phonics approach.
• Develop a love of reading and writing by providing engaging, decodable texts matched to each child’s phonics stage.
• Ensure that no child is left behind by providing targeted support for those who need to catch up.
• Equip pupils with the skills to read with fluency and comprehension, write confidently, and spell accurately, laying strong foundations for lifelong literacy.

Implementation

We deliver Read Write Inc. Phonics as a DfE-validated Systematic Synthetic Phonics programme across EYFS and KS1, with additional support for KS2 pupils who need intervention. Our approach includes:

• Daily phonics sessions in small, progress-based groups to ensure teaching is pitched at the right level for every child.
• Structured teaching sequence: children learn Set 1, 2, and 3 sounds, blending to read words, and segmenting to spell. Mnemonics and ‘Fred Talk’ strategies support memory and application.
• Matched decodable books: pupils read books aligned to their phonics knowledge, promoting success and confidence.
• Regular assessment and regrouping every 6–8 weeks to accelerate progress and maintain challenge.
• Targeted interventions: one-to-one tutoring and Fresh Start for older pupils who need rapid catch-up.
• Professional development: staff receive ongoing training from Ruth Miskin Training to ensure consistency and fidelity to the programme.
• Parental engagement: resources and guidance are shared with families to support phonics learning at home.

Impact

The impact of Read Write Inc. Phonics at Upwell Academy will be evident through:

• Early reading success: most children complete the programme by the end of Year 1 or early Year 2, enabling them to access a broad curriculum.
• Phonics Screening Check outcomes: high pass rates in Year 1, reflecting strong decoding skills.
• Improved fluency and comprehension: children read confidently and with expression, supporting wider literacy development.
• Writing proficiency: pupils write independently with accurate spelling, secure grammar, and rich vocabulary.
• Closing gaps: disadvantaged pupils and those with SEND make accelerated progress through targeted support.
• Positive attitudes to reading: children develop a love of books and confidence as lifelong readers and writers.

Research shows that schools implementing RWI Phonics consistently achieve significant improvements in reading attainment. The programme’s structured approach ensures progress for every child, regardless of background or starting point.