Vision for Reading at Longmoor
At Longmoor, reading is at the heart of everything we do. We believe that a love of reading opens doors to lifelong learning, creativity, and confidence. Our structured approach ensures that every child becomes a fluent, enthusiastic reader, ready to engage with the world.
Reading is the foundation of learning at Longmoor. We aim to develop confident, fluent readers who not only read with purpose but also for pleasure. Our approach is rooted in:
- Word Reading - Building strong phonics knowledge to develop decoding and fluency.
- Comprehension - Encouraging children to engage critically with texts, understand meaning, and develop a lifelong love of reading.
By the time our pupils leave Longmoor, they are ready to read with confidence in any subject, setting them up for success in secondary school and beyond.
Early Reading & Phonics (EYFS – Year 2)
Our youngest children begin their reading journey with Read Write Inc., a structured phonics programme that helps them decode words with confidence. Through fun and engaging lessons, they:
- Learn phonemes and graphemes systematically.
- Develop fluency through sounding out words and reading age-appropriate books.
- Enhance comprehension by discussing stories and answering questions.
By the end of Year 1, children are secure in their phonics knowledge, enabling them to transition to deeper comprehension work in Year 2 and beyond.
Developing Comprehension & Fluency (Year 2 – Year 6)
From Year 2, our pupils progress to Pathways to Read, a structured programme that strengthens fluency, vocabulary, and comprehension through high-quality texts. This approach helps children:
- Read with fluency and confidence.
- Understand and discuss a wide range of texts.
- Develop skills in retrieval, inference, summarising, and analysis.
Our carefully planned curriculum ensures that by Year 6, children are independent, analytical readers, ready for the challenges of secondary school.
We want every child to develop a passion for reading! At Longmoor, we create a rich reading environment through:
- Classroom Reading Areas – Every class has a cosy, well-stocked reading corner filled with diverse and engaging books.
- Drop Everything and Read (DEAR) – Dedicated time for children to enjoy independent reading every day.
- Story Time – Teachers bring books to life with expressive and engaging storytelling.
- Snuggle Up and Read Events – Fun sessions where families can share the joy of reading together.
Our goal is to ensure that reading is not just a school activity but a lifelong pleasure.
We understand that every child’s reading journey is unique, which is why we provide targeted support where needed.
- Fast Track Phonics – Daily short-burst phonics interventions for children needing extra help.
- Daily Readers (KS2) – One-to-one reading support for children who need to build fluency.
- Pre-Teaching of Vocabulary – Helping children understand tricky words before reading a new text.
- SEND Support – Providing audio books, coloured overlays, and scaffolded tasks for children with additional needs.
These tailored adaptations ensure that every child becomes a confident, successful reader.
At Longmoor, we use ongoing assessment to track every child’s reading progress and make sure they get the support they need.
- Phonics Checks (EYFS & KS1) – Regular assessments ensure children are developing strong decoding skills.
- Comprehension Tracking (KS2) – We assess vocabulary, retrieval, inference, and fluency to monitor progress.
- One-to-One Reading Checks – Teachers regularly read with children to provide personalised support and challenge.
This structured approach ensures that no child is left behind and every pupil is reading at their full potential.
Read Write Inc. (RWI) Phonics - A Guide for Parents
At our school, we use Read Write Inc. (RWI) Phonics to teach children how to read and write confidently. This page explains what RWI is, how it works, and how you can support your child at home.
What is Read Write Inc. Phonics?
Read Write Inc. (RWI) is a structured, systematic phonics programme developed by Ruth Miskin. It teaches children to:
- Recognise sounds
- Blend sounds to read words
- Segment sounds to spell words
- Read with fluency, accuracy, and understanding
- Develop confidence and enjoyment in reading
Children are taught in small groups according to their reading level, so teaching is closely matched to their needs.
How does RWI work in school?
1. Learning the Sounds
Children begin by learning the set 1 sounds, then move on to set 2 and set 3 sounds. They learn:
- How to say the sound
- How to form the letter correctly
- A short rhyme to help them remember it
2. Blending to Read
Children are taught to blend sounds together (e.g. c–a–t → cat) to read words. This skill is practised daily.
3. Reading Books Matched to Your Child
When your child is reading they will read books that closely match the sounds they know. This helps them to read successfully and build confidence.
Children will usually read the same book several times in school before bringing it home. This helps to develop:
- Accuracy
- Fluency
- Understanding
4. Developing Comprehension and Writing
Alongside decoding, children answer questions, retell stories, and practise spelling and writing words and sentences linked to their reading.
What books will my child bring home?
Your child will bring home:
- A RWI reading book that matches their current phonics level
- A reading for pleasure book to share and enjoy together
The RWI book should feel easy and successful for your child - this is a good thing and shows they are reading the correct level.
How can I help my child at home?
You can support your child by:
- Listening to them read their RWI book and praising their effort
- Encouraging them to say the sounds and blend if they get stuck
- Avoiding guessing from pictures - encourage sounding out instead
- Re-reading the same book to build confidence and fluency
- Sharing stories together every day and talking about them
Saying the Sounds Correctly
It is important to use pure sounds (for example, saying m not muh). Using pure sounds makes blending easier for children.
If you are unsure how to pronounce the sounds, please watch these really useful videos or speak to your child’s class teacher.
Why do we use RWI?
We use Read Write Inc. because it:
- Is proven to help children learn to read quickly
- Builds confidence and enjoyment in reading
- Supports children of all abilities
- Provides clear progression and consistency
Our aim is for every child to become a fluent, confident reader who loves books.
Need more information?
If you have any questions about Read Write Inc. Phonics or your child’s reading progress, please speak to your child’s class teacher.
You can also access support online with the following links:
- Ruth Miskin | Parents and Carers
- Ruth Miskin | Parent Workshops
- Oxford Owl | Read Write Inc. Phonics Guide
Thank you for supporting your child’s reading at home.