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<p>The Government is committed to eliminating illiteracy and wants all children to
read easily, fluently and with good understanding. Our new English curriculum places
a renewed focus on the requirement for pupils to learn to read through systematic
synthetic phonics, as evidence shows this is the most effective approach to early
reading. We do not have plans to introduce a national task force for literacy as we
believe poor reading outcomes are best addressed through the implementation of the
English curriculum and the other steps we have taken to improve literacy levels for
all children, alongside measures to raise the attainment of disadvantaged pupils.
The Department believes that good headteachers are best placed to support the needs
of their pupils.</p><p> </p><p>To boost the quality of phonics teaching, we have provided
£23.7 million in match funding to over 14,000 schools, enabling them to buy systematic
synthetic phonics products and training. We have also introduced a phonics screening
check. The first three years of the check have enabled teachers to identify nearly
568,000 six-year-olds who needed extra support.</p><p> </p><p>For pupils who do not
reach the expected level in reading by the end of primary school, we have introduced
the Year 7 Catch-up Premium. This funding – £500 per pupil – enables secondary schools
to deliver additional support for those pupils that most need it.</p><p> </p><p>The
Government has also committed £8.8 billion of pupil premium funding for schools in
England for the period between 2011-12 and 2015-16. The pupil premium gives schools
the extra resources they need to close the attainment gap between those from poorer
and wealthier backgrounds, including in reading outcomes.</p><p> </p><p>The 2014 Key
Stage Two results show that our reforms are already having an effect: a record proportion
of children (89%) reached the expected standard of reading (up three percentage points
from last year). Attainment in reading has increased for disadvantaged pupils from
73% in 2011 to 78% in 2013, an increase of five percentage points.</p><p> </p><p>Unfortunately,
pressures on the diary of my Rt hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Education,
mean she cannot promise to visit Bradford.</p><p> </p>
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