Phonics and Early Reading
Every child a reader
Our aim is for every child to leave Princess May as a fluent, confident reader who reads widely and for pleasure. Teachers read to their classes every day in the EYFS and Key Stage 1, and at least three times a week in Key Stage 2. Every classroom has a reading area of fiction, non-fiction and poetry.
Phonics and reading schemes we use
- Read Write Inc. Phonics – our systematic synthetic phonics programme, from Nursery to Year 2
- Read Write Inc. Comprehension – Year 2, once pupils read fluently
- Destination Reader – from the spring term of Year 2 to Year 6, developing comprehension through high-quality books
- Read Write Inc. Fresh Start – Years 5 and 6, for pupils who need further support to read fluently
- Read Write Inc. Spelling – Years 2 to 6
How children learn to read
Children learn the sounds in three sets, starting with single-letter sounds. They learn to blend sounds using “Fred Talk” and read books matched to the sounds they know. One-to-one tutoring helps every child keep up, so that all children become confident readers by the end of Year 1.
The reading journey
| Year |
Reading programme |
Books brought home |
| Nursery |
Introduction to RWI Phonics (Summer term) |
A “book to share” |
| Reception |
RWI Phonics from week 1; one-to-one tutoring |
RWI storybook, matching Book Bag book and a “book to share” each week |
| Year 1 |
RWI Phonics; extra daily Speed Sounds lesson; one-to-one tutoring |
RWI storybook, Book Bag book and a “book to share” |
| Year 2 |
RWI Phonics until fluent, then RWI Comprehension, then Destination Reader from the spring term (or when ready) |
Decodable books, or a library book and a reading-area book of their choice |
| Years 3–4 |
Destination Reader; RWI Phonics where needed |
A library book and a reading-area book |
| Years 5–6 |
Destination Reader; Fresh Start where needed |
A library book and a reading-area book, or Fresh Start extracts |
How you can help at home
Listen to your child read their reading book, and read the “book to share” to them. Little and often makes the biggest difference.
Read more in our Reading Policy 2026–27, Read Write Inc. Phonics Policy 2026–27 and Teaching and Learning Policy 2026–27. Our English: Reading page explains how reading is taught from Year 2 to Year 6.
The curriculum overview shows the texts each year group studies in writing and reading each term; the progression map shows how knowledge and skills build from year to year.
English (Writing and Reading) Curriculum Overview 2026–27 (PDF)
English Knowledge and Skills Progression Map 2026–27 (PDF)
