King’s College Riyadh will introduce the Read Write Inc. programme from the start of the 2026-27 academic year, giving children in Reception to Year 3 additional support to develop strong reading, writing and communication skills from an early age.
Early literacy plays a vital role in a child’s educational journey. Children who develop confident reading skills early are better equipped to access learning across every subject. By introducing one of the United Kingdom’s most widely used phonics programmes, the school aims to strengthen reading foundations while providing targeted support that reflects each child’s stage of learning.
How Read Write Inc. Supports Early Reading
Read Write Inc. is an award-winning phonics and literacy programme used in more than 8,000 schools across the UK. It helps children understand the relationship between letters and sounds, blend sounds to read unfamiliar words and gradually build reading fluency, spelling, vocabulary and writing skills.
The programme is designed to help children begin reading simple texts by the end of Reception and storybooks by the end of Year 1. Moreover, it recognises that every child develops at a different pace, allowing teaching to be adapted to individual learning needs.
Before lessons begin, pupils will complete a baseline assessment. They will then be grouped according to their reading ability rather than their age. As a result, teachers can provide focused teaching that matches each child’s current level and monitor progress through regular assessments.
What Parents Can Expect
Daily phonics lessons will form part of classroom learning, helping children build confidence through structured and consistent practice.
In addition, parents will have access to online resources and activities that reinforce classroom learning at home. This shared approach between school and families aims to provide children with greater consistency as they develop essential reading habits.
For parents, this means they can actively support their child’s literacy journey using the same methods taught in school, creating stronger links between home and classroom learning. Jacqueline Doran, Principal, at King’s College Riyadh said,
“At King’s College Riyadh, we believe reading is a vital skill that supports learning across all subjects and helps students grow in confidence. By introducing Read Write Inc., we are adopting an internationally recognised, evidence-informed approach that supports every student’s development and helps them become confident, fluent readers. We look forward to working closely with families as we introduce the programme and continue providing our students with the strongest possible start to their learning journey.”
Why Early Literacy Matters
Reading confidence established in the early years supports academic success throughout a child’s education. Research consistently shows that children who become fluent readers early are more likely to engage confidently with learning across subjects including mathematics, science and humanities.
Furthermore, structured phonics programmes provide teachers with a consistent framework while helping schools identify pupils who may benefit from additional support at an early stage.
As one of Saudi Arabia’s leading British international schools, King’s College Riyadh continues to combine high-quality British education with an appreciation of Saudi culture and values. The introduction of Read Write Inc. reflects the school’s continued focus on providing evidence-informed teaching that supports both academic achievement and personal development from the earliest years.
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Further Reading
- King’s College Riyadh Hosts World Scouts Leaders in Historic Visit
- King’s College Riyadh Enhances Secondary Education Journey With Pearson-Resourced KS3 Curriculum