AboutRuth Miskin

Have you ever failed to teach a child to read? I have. 

As a Reception teacher, I always felt the huge responsibility of teaching children to read. It was made very clear to me by my first headteacher that this was my job. 

“Get them reading in Reception, don’t pass on the problem. If they can’t read by six, they won’t want to read.”  

Yet, every year, I failed a few children – and it wasn’t a great feeling. My failure gave me the reading bug. It made me obsess over finding a way that would work for every child – whatever their background or ability. Over the years, I tried different methods and schemes in five different schools, but it was only when I became a headteacher that I had the time to research and trial the most effective methods. Thirty years ago – first in Leeds and then in Tower Hamlets – I took my first steps towards creating Read Write Inc. 

But it wasn’t just about finding the right system. As you know, children learn to read more easily when they enjoy it. I loved teaching reading, so they loved learning – enthusiasm is catching. I was passionate about their progress. And, as a head, I needed all the teachers to feel the same as I did. Children feel our passion for them – they know when we’re on their side. They know when we will stick with them until they succeed. 

Every school needs a head and teachers who are passionate about getting children to read – teachers who will take up the challenge of making sure every child succeeds. 

Be prepared – the first year of teaching Read Write Inc. is the hardest, while you learn the new systems. However, by the second year, you will have the confidence to teach any child to read and write. 

During Covid lockdowns, we started filming everything we do. Teachers now access our training and Virtual Classroom lessons on our online School Portal. 

In 2022, we added online assessment which began collecting assessment data.  

Heads and trainers say they have seen a huge improvement in the quality of teaching reading since we released the Portal and the Online Assessment. We see this progress reflected in the recent inspection reports too. 

Announcing new Read Write Inc. Phonics to Reading 

For over twenty years, we’ve kept improving the programme. We now also have three years of assessment data collected from half a million children every six weeks. This data has given us unprecedented knowledge of where children thrive and where some falter. 

This meant we had a responsibility to make our programme the best it could be – and to help schools afford the switch over the coming years.

We have examined every step, refined every routine and created a powerful new assessment system. Every aspect has been trialled and tested in schools, and I have personally overseen every lesson, story and illustration. 

The result is a simpler, clearer Read Write Inc. that will help even more children make faster progress. 

I hope you will love teaching children to read with Read Write Inc. Phonics to Reading and share our passion for teaching children to read and write.