§ Mr. HobanTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what role phonics play in the Literacy Strategy at Key Stages(a) 1 and (b) 2. [165291]
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§ Mr. Stephen TwiggThe National Literacy Strategy puts phonics—both analytic and synthetic—at the heart of literacy teaching it Key Stages 1 and 2. It advocates a strong emphasis on word level work (particularly phonics) and guided reading in the early years, with a gradual shift to place more emphasis on sentence level work (particularly composition in writing) in Key Stage 2.
§ Mr. HobanTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what assessment he has made of the effectiveness of phonics in the teaching of reading; and what guidance has issued concerning its use in primary schools. [165322]
§ Mr. Stephen TwiggFrom a position where many schools were teaching very little phonics, the National Literacy Strategy has transformed literacy teaching in primary schools. Its approach is soundly based on international research and best practice. The teaching of phonics has contributed to primary schools' achievement in maintaining world class standards, with tens of thousands more seven and 11-year-olds now achieving the expected level in reading for their age.
Guidance to teachers on the use of phonics is included in the strategy's framework for teaching and a supplement to the "Progression in Phonics" training material will be available for schools in the summer term.