Phonics

At Sandy Lane we use the Read, Write Inc (RWI) Phonics Programme: a systematic programme for the teaching of phonics, reading, spelling and early writing.  Our aim is for all pupils to start their journey to reading with confidence, developing a love of reading and, in turn, to apply their skills to writing.

Read Write Inc. Phonics is the UK’s number one systematic synthetic phonics programme. Children develop reading fluency and comprehension, spell and write with confidence and learn to articulate their ideas and understanding.  

Created by Dame Ruth Miskin, it is a complete literacy programme for children from Reception (P1) to Year 4 (P5), and children with SEND in older year groups. 

The programme is published by Oxford University Press and includes comprehensive planning for daily phonics lessons and reading, spelling and writing activities. It also includes decodable storybooks and home readers.

• Every lesson connects with the last and each activity connects with the next: the phonics, the reading and writing. 

• Children work in targeted progress groups so they can all participate. No child is ever left behind. They are assessed each half term to ensure the speediest progress. 

• Talking is at the heart of every lesson. Children learn the routines that enable them to explain and practise what they’ve been taught with a partner.  

• One-to-one tutoring provides quick keep up and long-term support for children with SEND. 

Please visit the link below to find out more:

Read Write Inc

Reading

At Sandy Lane, we believe that reading is the foundation of all learning and a primary gateway to exploring the world. Our mission is to inspire every child to become a lifelong reader, driven by both a thirst for knowledge and a genuine sense of pleasure. We aim to inspire an appreciation of our rich and varied literary heritage and a habit of reading widely and often.

Research highlights the transformative power of literacy: reading enjoyment is a more significant predictor of a child’s educational success than their socio-economic status (OECD, 2002), and students who enjoy reading perform significantly better academically than those who do not (OECD, 2009). However, with recent data showing that only 1 in 5 pupils choose to read independently on a daily basis (National Literacy Trust, 2025), we are committed to closing that gap and fostering a culture where reading is a daily joy.

Our reading curriculum is rooted in National Curriculum expectations and delivered through research-informed practices. We aim to develop confident, fluent, and critical readers who possess a deep appreciation for our rich and varied literary heritage.

We have carefully curated a reading experience that exposes our pupils to a diverse range of genres, authors, and cultures. Through our unique Reading Road Maps, we ensure that our curriculum is both inclusive and expansive, helping children build the vocabulary necessary to access the full breadth of the school curriculum.

By the time a child leaves Sandy Lane, our goal is for them to be a confident, effective, and habitual independent reader. By instilling a habit of reading widely and often, we ensure our students are fully equipped to access the secondary curriculum and thrive in their lives beyond primary school.