Primary school phonics pilot schemes launched
Pilot schemes for teaching phonics – the technique that teaches reading through sounds – have been announced as part of education secretary Ruth Kelly’s general review of literacy.
Schools minister Lord Adonis, announcing the pilots, said more work needed to be done to help underachieving pupils, particularly those from poor backgrounds.
There have been concerns too many children are leaving school without basic reading and writing skills. The pilots will take place in 200 primary schools.
At the same time the government is giving £5 million to the Every Child a Reader project which will place specialist literacy teachers in schools across 20 local education authorities
Evidence from both schemes will inform the independent review of teaching literacy led by Jim Rose. The reviews would provide an “invaluable insight” into how to help children with reading difficulties, he said.
