At Oakridge, we recognise that secure early reading is the foundation for future success. We teach reading first and foremost through systematic synthetic phonics, enabling children to learn the relationship between sounds and letters and to apply this knowledge when reading and spelling.

We use Read Write Inc. Phonics as our chosen phonics programme. This is a DfE-validated systematic synthetic phonics programme which supports the teaching of phonics, early reading, spelling and writing. It is closely aligned with the expectations of the English National Curriculum and the Early Years Foundation Stage.

Our ambition is that every child becomes a successful reader, regardless of their starting point, background or individual needs. Children are taught phonics in a clear, consistent and structured way, with regular assessment used to ensure that teaching is matched closely to what each child needs next.

We have clear expectations for pupils’ phonics progress from Reception to Year 2. Children read books that are carefully matched to the sounds they have been taught, so that they can practise and apply their phonic knowledge successfully. These fully decodable books help children to build accuracy, fluency and confidence as readers.

Through Read Write Inc., we aim for all pupils to:

• recognise sounds and match them to letters quickly and accurately
• blend sounds together to read words with increasing fluency
• read common exception words by sight
• understand and talk about what they have read
• read aloud with confidence, fluency and expression
• spell words by segmenting the sounds they can hear
• develop accurate letter formation and handwriting habits
• build confidence in early writing, including vocabulary, sentence structure and grammar

Where pupils need additional support, this is identified quickly and addressed through targeted teaching and regular practice. Older pupils who require further phonics support continue to receive carefully planned provision that is appropriate to their age and stage of reading development.

This approach reflects the DfE Reading Framework’s emphasis on securing the foundations of reading early, ensuring that pupils are able to decode accurately, read fluently and develop a positive relationship with books from the beginning of their school journey.