60% of schools that deliver outstanding reading results use the Ruth Miskin approach

A new HMI report was published on Sunday 14th November entitled ‘Reading by six. How the best schools do it’. It is based on case studies of twelve schools that are all judged by Ofsted to be outstanding in the teaching of phonics.

Seven out of the twelve schools featured in this report teach reading using Read Write Inc. Phonics, a full literacy programme developed by leading expert Ruth Miskin and published by Oxford University Press.

The secret of success identified in the HMI report was systematic teaching of synthetic phonics, coupled with high quality training, well-designed resources and clear leadership. Ruth Miskin has campaigned for nearly twenty years for schools to teach reading effectively using synthetic phonics, leading her to develop Read Write Inc. Phonics.

Ruth Miskin, creator of the programme says ‘Every school can achieve the same success as the schools in this report using Read Write Inc. Phonics. Our schools know it works for every child. Nothing in teaching is more rewarding than seeing all children learning to read and write successfully and quickly.’

‘Over the last few years teachers have experienced countless initiatives and confusing messages,” said Oxford University Press’s Primary Director Rod Theodorou. ‘What teachers really want is access to clear ideas that really work, backed by great training and resources. For the last five years Oxford University Press has backed Ruth Miskin and has emerged as the essential school improvement partner. This HMI report proves that integrating high quality training and resources, based on the proven techniques of an expert like Ruth, can help a school achieve dramatic results.’

Clare Fletcher, Head teacher of North Walsham Infants, Norfolk, one of the schools featured in the HMI report, explains the impact the programme has had on her school.

‘Our staff now teach literacy passionately and expect every child to learn to read - which they do. The use of Read Write Inc. has had a profound impact upon the quality of teaching in every class. Reading and writing well are crucial life skills and we can now give every child in our school the best possible start.’

Why it works
Read Write Inc. Phonics works because it provides a structured and rigorous approach to teaching and is combined with inspiring professional development for the whole school.

Teaching across the school is consistent and rigorous. All the staff, including the teaching assistants, is fully trained to teach synthetic phonics. The head teacher champions the approach, and a reading manager ensures excellent progress for every child. Strategic further training and coaching ensures that everyone teaches effectively.
The children are grouped at a level that matches their reading progress. Continuous assessment means that they work in the appropriate group so they learn to read as quickly as possible.
Immediate support is given the second a child starts to fall behind. No child is allowed to fall through the net - including children with learning difficulties.
Lively decodable reading books are carefully matched to the sounds the children have learnt so they get real confidence from their early success. Practice is the key to every lesson, deeply embedding all learning from the very beginning.
Partner work for teaching and discussion is established for all the lessons. Speaking and listening is an integral and vital part of the programme to ensure that children develop high language comprehension.
Lessons are fun and move at a fast pace. Every activity in the programme has a very clear purpose which allows teachers have plenty of energy to devote to the teaching itself.

To speak to Ruth Miskin or a school using Read Write Inc. Phonics, please call Vanessa Graham on 07595 880 261.

Read Write Inc. Phonics schools in report:

Bourne Abbey Church of England Primary School, Lincolnshire
North Walsham Infant School and Nursery, Norfolk
Old Ford Primary School, Tower Hamlets
Trenance Primary school, Cornwall
Woodberry Down Primary School, Hackney
Blue Coat Church of England Infant School and Nursery, Walsall
Turnfurlong Primary School, Aylesbury

About Oxford University Press
Oxford University Press is a department of the University of Oxford. It furthers the University's objective of excellence in research, scholarship, and education by publishing worldwide. Oxford University Press has a presence in more than 50 countries around the world. OUP's OXED division publishes books and supporting materials for the Primary and Secondary Schools market and children’s books.