From the very start, we have a clear route through so that all children can become fluent, successful readers.  We make regular, accurate assessments of the children's progress during their reading journey through Shakespeare.

The journey starts with phonics - Read Write Inc.

We introduce RWI in nursery and the children have daily phonics lessons in reception.  This begins on their very first day!  Children continue on their phonics journey throughout year one and into the start of year 2 where they complete the program.

The children are now ready to develop their reading comprehension skills.  This takes place during whole class reading lessons, when we hear them read indivdually and when we read our class novels to them daily.  Children who have completed the phonics program move onto book band colours.  We assess them every six weeks using benchmarking so that all children are given a book colour which best fits them.  

As they grow in confidence, and usually around year three, the children move onto Accelerated reader.  They take a star test which gives them a levelled range of books which comfortably fit their reading development.  Our library is well stocked with a range of books for every level.  These books stretch and challenge them, build interest and knowledge of a range of authors.  Once a pupil has completed a book, they complete a book quiz online which tests their understanding of what they have read.  Accelerated reader will take them to the end of primary school and beyond.

Our daily reading lessons

At Shakespeare, all reading lessons follow a set structure which enables pupils to understand and examine a range of texts with a focus on vocabulary, inference, prediction, summary and sequencing and questioning.  

Sequences of reading units are mapped on a spiral curriculum so that pupils have the opportunity to re-visit and build upon genre and reading skills.  Lessons are structured to support pupils to practise and embed new vocabulary as they read increasingly complex texts.  

View our reading lesson structure here:

More information about Read Write Inc.

Read Write Inc. is a literacy programme designed and developed by Ruth Miskin, one of the country’s leading authorities on teaching children to read. The programme aims to create fluent readers and confident speakers.

At the start of the new academic year, each child in Reception and Key Stage 1 is assessed on their letter recognition and reading within the first few weeks. After the assessment; any gaps in phonic knowledge, comprehension, or reading fluency will be used to assign each child to their own small, exclusive group for regular sessions with a trained member of staff using Read Write Inc. methods. These groups are organised according to the children’s specific needs, and the specific sounds, letters and comprehension skills needed are taught in a secure and engaging way. In Reception after the initial sound assessment, the class practise forming each of those sounds correctly, even if the children recognise them. This is because Reception children are all taught together in their classroom until Christmas, when they are then put into their exclusive groups.

The Read Write Inc sessions last up to 45 minutes and includes a variety of activities delivered with pace and rigour. Children have the opportunity to learn sounds which are reinforced during the session with reading activities and spelling games – learning is put into practise.

Year 1 also have daily phonics in addition to RWI sessions, so that all the children can access Set 1, 2 and 3 sounds in preparation for the phonics screening test.

As children progress through the levels, they are regularly assessed to ensure they are placed in groups most appropriate for them. If a child is found to be struggling, Alternatively, children may also be ‘fast-tracked’ to a more able group when their progress warrants this.

Five key principles underpin the teaching in all Read Write Inc. sessions:  

1)   Participation – As they are in small groups, children participate fully in every session. They are able to maintain high levels of concentration and they do not miss key elements of the teaching.

2)   Praise - Children work together as partners. They take turns to teach and praise each other. They are motivated by praise from their teachers and teaching assistants.

3)   Pace - Sessions are fast paced and lively. This keeps every child fully engaged and on task.

4)   Purpose - Every instructor has been trained in Read Write Inc. methods. They know the purpose of each activity, and how it leads into the next.

5)   Passion - Instructors, too, become passionate about their teaching as they see the children enjoying the progress they are making.