Read Write Inc

At Westgate Primary School we have started to introduce the Read Write Inc (RWI) Phonics programme to get children off to a flying start with their literacy. RWI is a method of learning centred round letter sounds and phonics, and we use it to aid children in their reading and writing. It is a consistent, rigorous and dynamic literacy programme to teach EVERY child to read by the age of six. Using synthetic phonics, children quickly learn to blend letter sounds together following a fun and effective programme.


How and what do children learn?


The children:

  • learn to read words using sound blending
  • read nonsense words to ensure that they are using and applying the 44 sounds they have learnt
  • read lively stories featuring words they have learned to sound out
  • answer questions to show that they understand what they are reading


The children:

  • learn to write words by saying the sounds and graphemes (a letter or group of letters representing a sound)
  • learn to build sentences orally
  • start with simple sentences and develop towards more complex ones by the end of the programme
  • compose a range of texts using discussion prompts


They work in pairs so that they can take full part in the lesson. They learn to:

  • answer every question
  • practise every activity with their partner
  • take turns in talking to each other