Phonics helps reading progress says Rose

Children are making better progress in reading and writing following the introduction of phonics, according to independent expert Sir Jim Rose.

In a letter to Schools Secretary, Ed Balls, Sir Jim writes that: “The indications are that good progress has been made in raising the quality of teaching for beginner readers such that the leading edge work in our schools is excellent by any standard. Overall, the message is positive, and schools are reporting that many children are making faster progress in learning how to read and to spell than was previously the case.” He estimated that three-quarters of primary schools were now using phonic methods.

However, Sir Jim warns that more work is needed to make this the case for all children as there was some variation in the quality of teaching and children’s development. He recommends that schools should be self-sustaining in teaching phonic skills and helping children to apply them, and that further support for practitioners should continue to focus on phonics as part of a broader curriculum.

Balls said: “We have made very good progress, but we now need to go the extra mile – I want every primary school to focus on using phonics properly when teaching our children to read.”