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<p>A comprehensive review of robust studies by the Education Endowment Foundation
found that systematic phonics is the most effective approach for teaching pupils to
decode, including older pupils struggling with decoding, when embedded in a rich literacy
environment. That is why the government has made systematic phonics teaching part
of the national curriculum, embedded it as a component of teacher training, introduced
the phonics screening check and made reading a core part of Ofsted primary inspections.</p><p>The
department and Ofsted do not mandate that schools use a validated programme to teach
systematic synthetic phonics (SSP). What is important is that schools take an approach
that is rigorous, systematic, used with fidelity (any resources used should exactly
match the Grapheme Phoneme Correspondence progression of their chosen SSP approach),
and achieves strong results for all pupils, including the most disadvantaged. To support
the high-quality teaching of phonics, the department recommends using a programme
from the validated list of SSP programmes, but this is not mandatory. If schools are
receiving support through the English Hubs programme to improve their phonics teaching,
they must follow a programme from the validated list.</p><p>Validation indicates that
an SSP programme has been self-assessed by its publisher and assessed by a panel of
experts, and that both consider it to meet all of the most recent Department for Education
criteria for an effective SSP programme, which can be found here: <a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/phonics-teaching-materials-core-criteria-and-self-assessment/validation-of-systematic-synthetic-phonics-programmes-supporting-documentation#essential-core-criteria"
target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/phonics-teaching-materials-core-criteria-and-self-assessment/validation-of-systematic-synthetic-phonics-programmes-supporting-documentation#essential-core-criteria</a>.
The department sought views on the validation criteria from SSP experts before publishing
a final version.</p><p>The department’s list of validated programmes has been updated
on gov.uk and there will be further updates following future validation panels. The
updated list includes a number of options, including school-to-school support programmes
and not for profit options. We recommend schools contact individual programme providers
for more information on programme prices.</p><p>Schools have the flexibility to decide
how to prioritise their spending to invest in a range of resources and activities
that will best support their staff and pupils. Schools can choose to use their core
funding to buy an SSP programme.</p><p>The department has made a further £5 million
funding available to schools to purchase validated SSP programmes. Eligible schools
must have a minimum of 22% of their pupils eligible for the pupil premium or service
pupil premium and will be situated in a local authority area listed here: <a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/choosing-a-phonics-teaching-programme/list-of-phonics-teaching-programmes"
target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/choosing-a-phonics-teaching-programme/list-of-phonics-teaching-programmes</a>.</p><p>In
addition, the department has funded various initiatives to improve the teaching of
phonics in schools. Between 2011 and 2013, we provided £23.7 million of matched funding
for resources and training for 14,000 schools. In 2018, we launched a £26.3 million
English Hubs programme dedicated to improving the teaching of reading, with a focus
on supporting children making the slowest progress in reading, many of whom come from
disadvantaged backgrounds. We have since invested a further £17 million in this school-to-school
improvement programme, which focuses on SSP, early language, and reading for pleasure.
Since its launch, the English Hubs programme has provided appropriate and targeted
support to several thousands of schools across England.</p>
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