Synthetic Phonics

UK Government Spells Out Bigger Role for Phonics

The Government in England is to push for more phonics in infant classes.

David Hopkins, director of the standards unit, which oversees the literacy strategy, has pledged to look at the teaching of phonics in the early years.

A solid literacy grounding at infant level is seen as vital in the drive to raise standards.

The UK Office for Standards in Education has praised reception teachers for their teaching of phonics, but says that the approach of their Year 1 and 2 colleagues is not systematic enough for pupils who are falling behind, and the problem gets worse in Year 3.

It found teaching of phonics to be good in only one in four schools in 2000/1.

A UK Department for Education and Skills spokeswoman said: "OFSTED still identifies phonics as a weak area. We will continue to ensure that schools which need it receive consultant and other support to strengthen phonics teaching, including the Progression in Phonics materials, which we have no plans to revise at present."

She said the National Literacy Strategy believes children need analytical and synthetic phonics.

(TES, 15 November 2002)

With many thanks to the excellent Times Educational Supplement.