Reading gives children the tools to become independent life-long learners.

At Epsom Primary & Nursery School, we want to give children the best possible start to become fluent and confident readers and we do this by teaching the Read Write Inc (RWI) phonics scheme.

Phonics is taught from the very first day our Reception pupils enter the school. Children begin with the RWI Making a Strong Start programme, with whole class teaching during the first half term, before being assessed and grouped with the year 1 and 2 children. This allows children to work at their ability, without putting a limit on anyone’s learning.

In Reception and KS1, children begin their day with a 45 minute phonics lesson, taught by highly trained phonics staff. For those children who have completed the phonics programme their lesson focuses on building fluency, comprehension and VIPER skills, preparing them for KS2.

In Nursery, during the Summer term, we begin to get our children ready for Reception by introducing them to the pictures and sounds associated with the RWI scheme.

For children who are identified as needing additional help, we have a dedicated RWI tutor who works with those pupils on a daily basis to help them keep up.

At the end of year 1, children take the Phonics Screening Check, a national assessment of their ability to decode 40 real and alien (made up) words. Our pupils demonstrate a strong grasp of phonics, with outcomes that exceed national expectations.