Reading & phonics

Phonics at Parkstone Primary School

At Parkstone we follow the Read Write Inc phonics programme. Read Write Inc teaches children to read accurately and fluently with good comprehension. They learn to form each letter, spell correctly, and compose their ideas step-by-step.

In the programme children learn sounds and the letters that represent them, and how to form the letters. Then, they read books written using only the letters they have learnt (and a small number of separately taught ‘tricky words’). This gives the children plenty of early success and builds up their reading confidence.

Parents and Carers – Ruth Miskin Literacy

How will my child learn to read?

The Read Write Inc. Phonics approach teaches children to read sets of sounds and then blend them to read words. The books that they read at school will only contain the sounds they’ve already learned, so children learn quickly and confidently.

What is Fred Talk?

If your child’s school is using Read Write Inc. Phonics, teachers will introduce your child to a toy frog called Fred once he or she is ready to start reading words. Fred can only say the sounds in a word and needs your child to help him read the word. Fred will say the sounds and children will work out the word. For example, Fred will say the sounds c–a–t, and children will say the word cat. This is Fred Talk: sounding out the word.

How can I help at home?

In the early stages of learning to read, help your child to learn the sounds represented by the letters (e.g. mmmm), rather than the letter names (e.g. em). This will help them when they start blending sounds together to read words.

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‘The geography curriculum is a strength of the school.
Leaders have carefully set out what they want pupils to know by the end of each year.’

Ofsted

‘Pupils talk with pride about the ‘leading learner’ badges
they get for reading regularly, arriving on time and trying hard.’

Ofsted

‘In Reception, phonics is taught every day.’

Ofsted

‘The governing body challenges leaders on the actions they are taking to improve the school.’

Ofsted

‘One pupil told the
inspector that, ‘school is amazing because teachers include everyone.’

Ofsted

‘Pupils enjoy the books their teacher reads to them.’

Ofsted

‘Reception children get opportunities to explore numbers all the time.
Daily mathematics lessons help them to count with speed and confidence.’

Ofsted

‘Leaders’ relationships and sex education and health education
curriculums give pupils an age-appropriate understanding of healthy relationships.’

Ofsted

‘Children in early years learn phonics as soon as they start school.’

Ofsted

‘In mathematics, teachers make daily checks on pupils’ understanding. This ensures that the work pupils do is suitably challenging.’

Ofsted

‘Staff are happy, and morale
is high.’

Ofsted

‘Teachers say that leaders listen to their views and help them to manage their workload.’

Ofsted

‘All pupils know the school rules.’

Ofsted

‘Pupils discuss and analyse texts during their
‘reading mastery’ lessons.’

Ofsted

‘Teachers model language and sounds accurately. This means that Reception children get off to a strong start with their reading.’

Ofsted

‘The reading curriculum is well organised.’

Ofsted

‘Teachers have strong subject
knowledge and use geographical vocabulary with precision.’

Ofsted

‘Teachers use ‘pinny time’ to revisit the sounds that children have been
taught, as they learn through play.’

Ofsted

‘ Subject leaders benefit from meeting staff in
other trust schools to exchange ideas and good practice.’

Ofsted

‘All
adults have high expectations of pupils’ behaviour.’

Ofsted

‘Pupils thrive at this inclusive school.’

Ofsted

‘Classrooms are oases of calm. As a
result, pupils are happy. They feel safe at school.’

Ofsted

‘Pupils are very positive about their
mathematics work.’

Ofsted

‘Pupils could talk about rainfall and temperature graphs, as well as the impact of the River Nile on Egyptian settlements.’

Ofsted

‘Leaders
have provided teachers with the phonics training they need.’

Ofsted

‘Pupils who are falling behind in their phonics get extra help to catch up.’

Ofsted