Read our FAQs to find answers to some of our most common asked questions.
If you need further support contact us.
About the Sound-Write Programme
What is the Sounds-Write scope and sequence?
Sounds-Write teaches the skills, concepts and code knowledge necessary to teach children to read and spell from Reception to Y6, and can also be used in intervention settings at any age.
Sounds-Write teaches the complete code (175+ of the most common spellings of the 44 or so sounds in English) through our Initial Code and our Extended Code. We also teach students to read and write polysyllabic words.
Download our scope and sequence
What further PD does Sounds-Write offer trained practitioners?
We offer a whole host of professional development (PD) opportunities for Sounds-Write trained practitioners!
The Practitioners’ Portal is our proffesional development platform packed with training videos, teaching resources, free downloads, recorded webinars, and lesson tips. Access our free whiteboard activities generator and get to grips with our new formative assessment tools which track student progress through the code.
Bespoke coaching sessions with one of our expert trainers are available upon request, and are costed according to the training needs of your team.
The Sounds-Write Manual offers a comprehensive library rich with theory-based content every reading specialist needs to know for hours of additional professional development.
Live webinars run year-round on topics which our practitioners tell us will support their teaching practice, including planning, fidelity, and teaching interventions. Every session includes a live Q&A where practitioners can ask specific questions relating to their experiences in the classroom.
Networking opportunities are available via our Facebook groups, which are a great place to ask questions, discuss topics you might need help with, share ideas, and keep up to date with what’s new at Sounds-Write.
In addition to all of this, we post regularly on social media, pointing practitioners in the direction of further reading and research that will improve your practice.
Sounds-Write Symposium is our biennial professional conference bringing together leaders in the field of literacy, linguistics, and education. The Symposium is for educators, professionals and parents wanting to learn more about the speech-to-print approach. The recordings from the 2023 Symposium are still available to purchase here.
Can my school become a member without purchasing your resources?
Yes!
All of the resources you need to carry out Sounds-Write successfully are included in the Practitioners’ Portal and the manual.
We also have a collection of free eBooks available and a library of downloadable resources on our members platform, The Sounds-Write Practitioners’ Portal.
We have an online shop where you can purchase our decodable books, activity books, and games, which are aligned with the Sounds-Write scope and sequence.
Does Sounds-Write meet the Early Learning Goals (2021) for England?
Yes, Sounds-Write meets all the 2021 Early Learning Goals for Literacy for comprehension, reading and writing. Find out more here.
Has Sounds-Write been validated as a quality phonics programme?
Yes, we are!
In England, we have been validated by the Department for Education as a high-quality systematic synthetic phonics teaching programme. Find the list here.
In Western Australia, we have been endorsed by the Department of Education.
In the United States, we are on the Colorado Department of Education advisory list of instructional reading.
Membership
What is the new Sounds-Write annual membership, and when does it start?
We’re thrilled to introduce the annual Sounds-Write membership, available from the 1st September 2025.
Our new membership is designed to give your school—and every member of your team—comprehensive access to Sounds-Write’s training. With the online training pathways for each staff member, Leading Phonics Masterclass, and Interventions Masterclass all included, it’s a convenient and cost-effective way to ensure everyone receives the training they need.
Once you’ve joined, you’ll get instant access to our new training pathways (from the 1st September 2025 onwards), so staff can begin learning right away. The training is completely asynchronous, so staff can work through it at their own pace, fitting it around their existing schedules.
We also offer membership to individuals who only need single-user access.
How much does the annual membership cost?
You can find all the information about our training plan, what’s included, and a breakdown of the costs here.
Can we sign up for the membership before September?
Yes, you can sign up for the annual Sounds-Write membership before September! By doing so, you’ll be ready to hit the ground running when the membership officially launches on 1st September 2025. Early sign-ups ensure you’ll have everything in place to start accessing the training pathways as soon as they become available.
We’re also offering all existing Sounds-Write schools who become members before 31st of May, one free place on the Leading Phonics Masterclass, starting on the 9th June.
Your membership will automatically renew in September 2026, even if you sign up between March 2025 – August 2025.
Who can access the membership?
The membership is available to all schools in the UK, Europe, and international schools that follow an English curriculum.
How is the membership priced?
The school membership follows a price-per-school model, ensuring that entire school teams can benefit, regardless of challenges like staff turnover or job shares. For individuals, there’s also the option to join Sounds-Write and gain single-user access.
Memberships must be renewed annually to maintain access to the Sounds-Write programme, but don’t worry—we’ll send you a friendly reminder when it’s time to renew.
What are the new training pathways?
Training pathways are curated course collections tailored to specific teaching roles, such as classroom teachers, teaching assistants, interventionists, phonics leads, and senior leaders. They provide personalised training to meet individual role requirements.
The Phonics Lead receives comprehensive training to implement Sounds-Write effectively and monitor team progress. This ensures tailored support and fidelity in programme delivery.
What professional development and further support can Sounds-Write provide once I've trained?
As well as providing coaching sessions upon request, Sounds-Write has a number of ways that we support practitioners. Our Facebook groups are a great place to ask questions and discuss topics you might need help with. We run a year-round webinar series for practitioners to gain insight into specific areas of teaching phonics, such as planning, fidelity and intervention.
Schools new to Sounds-Write will be assigned to a Sounds-Write Literacy Specialist who will provide additional support to them in the first year.
Are there any additional costs?
Other than the price of the membership there are no mandatory additional costs. You may wish to purchase additional decodable readers and other resources from our online shop.
I've forgotten my password
Reset your password here.
You will need to use the email address you originally registered with. If you no longer have access to the email account you can still log in to The Practitioners’ Portal, and then update your email in the profile section ahead of the next time you log in.
I've changed job roles and my old email address is no longer active, what do I do?
You should still be able to log in to the Practitioners’ Portal. Use your old email address and password to log in. Then, click the ‘My Profile’ icon at the top right-hand corner to update your contact information. Click ‘Change Email’ to update your email address.
When will I get access to the Practitioners' Portal?
You will receive an email inviting you to register for the Practitioners’ Portal after your invoice is paid in full.
Please allow a further three working days for our support team to approve your registration. If you still do not have access, contact portal@sounds-write.co.uk for support.
Specialist Training
How do I find and book on to the Y3-Y6 course?
You can register an interest via our members page, The Sounds-Write Practitioners’ Portal
I have expressed an interest in the Y3-Y6 course, when will I hear back?
Registrations officially open approximately four weeks before the course starts, and you should expect to receive a formal invitation at this time. Please ensure you complete the expression of interest form for your preferred course as soon as possible. Spaces are limited and are offered on a first-come, first-served basis.
You can find the specialist course dates and information here.
Books and Resources
I have ordered decodable books from Sounds-Write, how long will they take to be delivered?
We aim for customers to wait no longer than 14 working days. Check out our terms and conditions for more information. If you have been waiting longer than 14 working days, contact us.
I would like to pay by invoice, how do I do this?
Please contact us with the following information and we will generate an invoice for you:
Requested items (visit the Sounds-Write shop for a list of all books and resources available in your area):
Contact name for invoicing:
Email address:
School:
Postal address:
Shipping address (name and address where the order is to be posted):
Purchase order number (if applicable):
Once the invoice has been issued and paid we will arrange the delivery of your purchased items.
Discover Sounds-Write
Book a free consultation to discuss your individual training needs.