Fresh Start
Rescue struggling readers
Read Write Inc. Fresh Start is a proven phonics intervention for pupils aged nine to 13+ who have slipped through the reading net.
Pupils make as much as two years’ progress in just two months, using the same tried-and-tested approach as Read Write Inc. Phonics.
Getting Fresh Start right in my school is more than a job, it’s a moral obligation.”
Paul Taylor, Principal at Outwood Academy Carlton
Student A, Y10 and new to English, made huge progress on Fresh Start. Working one-to-one increased his confidence. He now joins in class discussions and reads with understanding.”
Outwood Academy, Hindley
How does Fresh Start help you rescue struggling readers?
- Quick diagnostic assessment ensures you start students at their highest point on the programme for speedy progress, whether this is for accurate decoding, reading fluency – or both.
- Daily lessons support word reading, fluency and comprehension – and are at each student’s level. This means students progress quickly.
- Motivating age-appropriate Modules reflect students’ everyday experiences and backgrounds. Engaging readers support students to develop reading fluency and increase their confidence.
- Teach Fresh Start flexibly depending on the number of students who need it in your school, and the number of staff you have available.
- Fresh Start mirrors the DfE’s 2023 Reading Framework. You can be confident you have everything covered.
Students and teachers talk about increased reading ages and confidence.
Students and teachers talk about increased reading ages and confidence.
How does Fresh Start help you rescue struggling readers?
- Quick diagnostic assessment ensures you start students at their highest point on the programme for speedy progress, whether this is for accurate decoding, reading fluency – or both.
- Daily lessons support word reading, fluency and comprehension – and are at each student’s level. This means students progress quickly.
- Motivating age-appropriate Modules reflect students’ everyday experiences and backgrounds. Engaging readers support students to develop reading fluency and increase their confidence.
- Teach Fresh Start flexibly depending on the number of students who need it in your school, and the number of staff you have available.
- Fresh Start mirrors the DfE’s 2023 Reading Framework. You can be confident you have everything covered.
The importance of teaching students to read.
The role of the Reading Leader in secondary schools.
The impact of individual support from a well-trained, enthusiastic tutor.
Fresh Start in secondary schools
In a nutshell
In secondary schools, Fresh Start is for students who:
- did not meet national expectations at the end of Key Stage 2
- have missed schooling or are late arrivals into school
- are new to the UK education system
- are learning English as an additional language.
There are still too many students leaving primary school who read too slowly to take in the meaning of what they are reading. These students cannot access the curriculum – and only 10% will gain a GCSE in Maths and English.
Fresh Start accelerates students’ reading accuracy, fluency and stamina in just 30 minutes a day. Comprehensive training supports secondary teachers with teaching older pupils to read.
Fresh Start in primary schools
In a nutshell
In primary schools, Fresh Start is for children who:
- are reading below age-related expectations
- have missed schooling or are late arrivals into school
- are new to the UK education system
- are learning English as an additional language.
If you are a Read Write Inc. school, your Reading Leader already knows what to do. Fresh Start is the ‘grown-up’ version of Phonics. The lessons are similar, just with age-appropriate texts.
Time required for teaching
Children are taught for 30 minutes each day throughout the programme.
Children starting later in the programme only need a few weeks’ tutoring; those starting at the beginning need two or three terms.
To ensure the most struggling readers make speedy progress, they are taught individually for the first 13 Modules. They then move to working in small progress groups.
Fresh Start works even if you’re short of time and staff – we’re here to help with a solution for every context.
Assessment at the start of the programme and every half term helps you with grouping and organisation.
Children with SEND
Older children with SEND are sometimes better taught using Read Write Inc. Phonics One-to-one Tutoring. Although designed for younger children, it uses a smaller-step approach and provides a greater amount of practice.
We can help you make this decision – contact us here.
Home support
The Virtual Classroom has over 600 phonics films to send home and children take home their Fresh Start Module and an Anthology every week.
Training and support
Our 150+ trainers have a strong track record working in senior positions in schools. They undergo intensive training with our top trainer team, including how to teach reading, writing and develop pupils’ language.
We make sure older pupils become accurate and fluent readers regardless of their age or background.
Ofsted recommendations 2022
“School leaders understood the need to identify specific reading gaps and weaknesses and made sure that the staff working with struggling readers were trained to teach reading.”
For new schools with a small number of struggling readers
If you’re totally new to Read Write Inc. and are introducing Fresh Start to support just a handful of pupils, we recommend our Fresh Start Regional Training alongside the resources from Oxford University Press.
Fresh Start Regional Training
- Training focuses on how to teach older pupils to read sounds, words and word endings, then how to apply knowledge to the reading and writing activities in the Modules.
- Learn how to teach Fresh Start by practising activities and receiving on the spot coaching.
For new schools with a larger number of struggling readers
A standalone Fresh Start Training Package is for:
- Schools with a significant number of pupils who need support.
- Primary schools with struggling readers in Years 5 and 6 in schools without the Read Write Inc. Phonics Training Package.
- Secondary schools with struggling readers of any age.
The Fresh Start Package includes:
Two places at a two-day regional training
- Training focuses on how to teach older pupils to read sounds, words and word endings, then how to apply knowledge to the reading and writing activities in the Modules.
- You’ll learn how to teach Fresh Start by practising activities and receiving on the spot coaching.
- One place is for the Reading Leader and one for a tutor. You can book extra regional training places for more tutors.
One in-school Development Day
- Development Days are unique to Read Write Inc. and are bespoke to your school. They are proven to support Reading Leaders and reading tutors to get every pupil to read.
- Your trainer works with leaders to analyse assessment data and create an action plan. They run practice sessions, model tutoring, and coach reading tutors to help all pupils make speedy progress.
- Our Standard Package includes one day, but you can upgrade to have more. Schools with many struggling readers benefit from more Development Days.
Fresh Start School Portal
- Bite-sized online training films help you to plan and practise all stages of the programme.
- In-action films show experienced teachers teaching every activity.
- Virtual Classroom films give pupils extra practice at school and at home.
Fresh Start Online Assessment
- This automatically analyses each pupil’s assessment results to give you all the information you need at the click of a button.
- There is a wealth of support available including daily drop-ins with a trainer during each assessment window, short films and written guidance.
Also available to book: Remote Progress Meetings
These hour-long meetings are with the Reading Leader and headteacher. We discuss progress data to decide the next steps for pupils who are receiving tutoring, and plan staff practice and coaching.
For primary schools with a Read Write Inc. Phonics Package
- Head to your School Portal to access all the Fresh Start training films.
- Book staff onto the Fresh Start Regional Training – perfect for new tutors or those seeking a refresher.
- If you need extra support, you can book additional Development Days and Remote Progress Meetings through the renewals and upgrades area of the School Portal.
For renewing schools
Please go to the renewals area on your School Portal. The Fresh Start Renewal Training Package includes the School Portal with the Online Assessment and one in-school Development Day.
Training Package costs
We review our prices each year. We understand the financial pressures schools are under and keep our prices as low as possible.
Fresh Start Training Package
- Two places at a two-day regional training: £570 + VAT
- One in-school Development Day: £650 + VAT
- One year’s access to the Fresh Start School Portal, including the Online Assessment: £400 + VAT
Package total: £1,620 + VAT
Remote Progress Meetings are available at £125 + VAT.
We review our prices each year. We understand the financial pressures schools are under and keep our prices as low as possible.
Next steps
- Please follow the instructions here and we will be in touch. A Training Coordinator will answer any questions, and there will be an opportunity to speak to one of our team if needed.
- For large schools or those working with a high number of struggling readers, extra regional training places can be booked at a discounted rate of £285 + VAT per person here.
For schools who do not buy a Fresh Start or a Phonics Package
Two-day regional training places can be booked at £335 + VAT per person.
Please note films from the School Portal are used throughout training. The School Portal is only available as part of a full Training Package.
For schools with a Read Write Inc. Phonics Package
The Fresh Start School Portal with the Online Assessment is included if you have a Read Write Inc. Phonics Training Package. You will also receive a £50 discount per person on the regional training.
For renewing Fresh Start schools
- One in-school Development Day: £650 + VAT
- Fresh Start School Portal, including the Online Assessment: £400 + VAT
Package total: £1050 + VAT
For staff new to teaching Fresh Start, two-day regional training places can be booked at £285 + VAT (discounted from £335 + VAT) per person here.
Remote progress meetings are available at £125 + VAT.
We review our prices each year. We understand the financial pressures schools are under and keep our prices as low as possible.
Essential resources to help you teach the programme
Read Write Inc. Fresh Start supports struggling readers aged nine and above to accelerate reading progress. All resources are published by Oxford University Press.
The resources include the Fresh Start Teacher Handbook, 34 weekly Modules, Fresh Start Readers and Anthologies, Module Green Word Cards, as well as other phonics resources. All resources are age-appropriate.
