From validation to implementation: Choosing a systematic synthetic phonics programme
Written by: Laura Brogan
9 min read
LAURA BROGAN, NATIONAL PHONICS LEADER, TWINKL EDUCATIONAL PUBLISHING, UK
Choosing a systematic synthetic phonics (SSP) programme is one of the most significant decisions that school leaders can make. With numerous options available, how can they feel confident in selecting the best fit for their students and staff? This article explores key factors to consider when making a strategic, evidence-informed choice.
The Education Endowment Foundation (EEF, 2021) highlights phonics as one of the most secure and best-evidenced areas of pedagogy, recommending that all schools use a systematic approach to teach it. In 2021, the Department for Education removed the widely used Letters and Sounds 2007 handbook from its list of validated phonics programmes, noting that it did not constitute a full SSP programme, and required schools to create their own materials and training (DfE, 2021). This prompted a new validation process, in which publishers submitted programmes against revised core crite
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