The Government announced this spring that it plans to introduce a phonics test for all six year olds.
The test, which will take around ten minutes to complete and require children to correctly pronounce around forty words, mixed in with a number of non-words, is intended to keep parents, schools, and local authorities informed about children’s progress.
Supporters of the new test say that it will help identify children and schools that are falling behind and require additional help, as well as those who are developing at a faster rate than average. They say that by monitoring children at the end of Year 1, vulnerable children and schools can receive the help they need before they fall too far behind.
Research suggests that phonics is the most important area of literacy education in the Early Years stage. It unlocks the basics of reading, making the whole curriculum accessible to a child. Without the ability to read first and foremost, the rest of the school’s material is a “secret garden”. With this in mind, teachers must ensure that their children are best placed to succeed and progress.
As well as introducing the phonics screening check, the Government has announced a generous match funding programme for teachers to attend approved phonics training courses. Osiris Educational has been named as an primary provider of this training, and we are pleased to announce that our courses are customers will be able to claim up to £3000 per school in match funding until March 2013.
To find out more about this exciting opportunity, visit http://osiriseducational.co.uk/phonics/the-latest-information/phonics-match-funding/ or call 0808 160 5 160 to speak to our friendly Support Team.
