Teaching Y5 non-readers to read

[RobinRB]

I have been given a group of Year 5 non-readers and asked to teach them to read. They need to be reading as fluently as possible by the end of the school year. All of them can speak fluent English, but all are struggling with reading because they've never consistently been taught phonics/attended school consistently/have support at home etc etc.

The school have asked that I start at Phase 2 but obviously I've got a huge amount to get through and very limited time. What's the most effective way to do this given amount vs time constraints?

Unfortunately, I've not got a miracle answer but just wanted to say I'm in a similar position. I have a Y5 child working at reception/Phase 2 level. Nothing SEN diagnosed but is a persistent absentee so has missed so much.
I've taught phonics in KS1 and EYFS so understand the progression but honestly this is something else!!
We took it back to basics with picture books so that he could understand the concept of a book and was useful to see what he understood from picture clues.
We do daily phonics sessions (when he is in) with him 1:1. But if I'm completely honest, my TA doesn't have the best phonics knowledge and I don't have a lot of time spare to fit it in myself. I've asked if my TA can go observe KS1 phonics but nothing so far...
He is also getting very bored of the resources available as a lot of them are aimed younger. If anyone has suggestions if very basic but more interesting books or other resources I'd love to hear it.
We mix in precision teach which is having a bit of impact.
Definitely do a baseline first, they might all be working at different levels. Mine can recognise some single letters although doesn't always say the pure sound. Struggles as soon as it's a digraph. We do tricky words on flashcards too.

I'd love to hear other suggestions too!

When I have complete non-readers in upper KS2, I use Sound Foundations 'Apples and Pears'. It works really well. Our Learning Support Team also prescribe Hornet Literacy Primer.

However, you may not be allowed to use these if your school is signed up to an approved phonics scheme and doesn't want to be seen to ever deviate from it.

Sorry, it's 'Bear Necessities' for reading. Apples and Pears is spelling.

Look at Renaissance Accelerated Reader books recommended for MY (middle years) but level 1 or level 0?

Thanks so much for all replies. They're very much appreciated and given me some great starting points. If it were a bunch of KS1 children I would feel a lot less phased by the task, but the age of these children is making me second guess myself. Anyway, thanks again for some great suggestions!

I second Bear Necessities but it’s very dry. Project X are supposed to be more mature phonics books but they’re still too hard for non readers. I used the Dandelion readers, which don’t look too babyish.

We had an absolutely ancient sight words based scheme which I turned to and I will be honest- they gave a similar group confidence. Once they had that little bit
of reassurance they were more open to phonics.

A school I used to work in used Read Write Inc fresh start.

Take a look at Sounds Write. We use that for KS2 interventions. It’s not babyish and works a treat!