Phonics at Chipping Warden Primary Academy

At Chipping Warden Primary Academy, we use Read Write Inc (RWI) as our systematic synthetic phonics programme. This evidence-based approach ensures all children learn to read accurately and fluently.

Our Phonics Teaching

We follow best practice in phonics instruction:

• Daily phonics lessons – fast-paced, engaging sessions for all children in Reception and Year 1
• Systematic progression – children learn sounds in a carefully sequenced order
• Regular assessment – children are grouped by phonics knowledge, not age, ensuring tailored teaching
• Decodable books – children read books matched precisely to the sounds they know
• Keep-up support – same-day interventions for children who need extra practice

Read Write Inc Key Features

Fred Talk

Fred is our Read Write Inc mascot who speaks in sounds. Children help Fred learn to blend sounds into words:

• Fred says: "c-a-t"
• We say: "cat"

This oral blending is practised daily before children read and write words independently.

Click here for the RWI pronunciation guide

Fred Fingers

We use 'Fred Fingers' to support spelling:

1. Count the sounds – "bat, b-a-t, 3 sounds"
2. Hold up fingers – hold up 3 fingers
3. Pinch and say – pinch each finger saying each sound: "b-a-t"
4. Blend – sweep across fingers to blend: "bat"

Remember: Some sounds are made of two letters (digraphs):

• "this" = th-i-s (3 sounds, 3 fingers)
• "flairs" = f-l-air-s (4 sounds, 4 fingers)

Reading Books

Children progress through carefully levelled Read Write Inc books:

1. Ditty books – simple stories using sounds learned so far
2. Storybooks – grouped by colour, matched to phonics knowledge
3. Book Bag Books – decodable books for home reading that match classroom learning

All books are fully decodable, meaning children can read every word using the phonics knowledge they have been taught. This builds confidence and fluency.

Reading at Home

Home reading books: Your child will bring home a decodable Read Write Inc book matched to their phonics level. Please:

• Read this book several times during the week
• Encourage your child to use 'Fred Talk' to sound out unfamiliar words
• Praise their efforts and celebrate their progress

Reading for pleasure: We also send home books for you to share together. These may be above your child's reading level – this is intentional! Please:

• Read these stories to or with your child
• Discuss the pictures and story together
• Re-read favourite stories as many times as your child wishes
• Let your child choose books from our class libraries

Building a love of reading: Hearing rich stories read aloud develops vocabulary, comprehension and a lifelong love of reading – just as important as learning to decode.

Writing at home

Click on the document below to see all the rhymes for helping your child form their letters correctly.

Supporting phonics at home

Please click here for a video showing you how to correctly pronounce the sounds.

Please click here for information to support you to help your child with RWI.

For 10 top tips to help you with RWI click here.