Special Reading Initiatives
A major initiative to support language and reading skills, the phonics screening check, was introduced in 2012 to help confirm that all students in Year 1 have learned phonic decoding to an appropriate standard, and to facilitate teachers in identifying students who need extra help with reading. The government also has funded projects to enhance the teaching of phonics through phonics partnerships and “phonics roadshows.” Phonics partnerships involve identifying and funding a lead school with proven expertise in literacy to drive improvement in neighboring schools. Phonics roadshows involve expert consultants hosting events to improve the teaching of phonics in areas of need.