Systematic synthetic phonics is already endorsed by every major English-speaking government. If you’d like to explore the research behind the approach, here are some of the key papers, books and websites we recommend.
Research Papers
Reading by Six: How the Best Schools Do It →
Ofsted (UK) report finding that success is based on a determination that every child will learn to read, together with a rigorous and sequential approach to teaching reading, writing and spelling through systematic phonics.
Ofsted (UK) report finding that success is based on a determination that every child will learn to read, together with a rigorous and sequential approach to teaching reading, writing and spelling through systematic phonics.
West Dunbartonshire, Scotland →
How an entire region made zero reading failure a reality for all children. Theory turned into action — a very inspiring read.
How an entire region made zero reading failure a reality for all children. Theory turned into action — a very inspiring read.
The Clackmannanshire Study →
Landmark Scottish study that found children taught using synthetic phonics were still ahead of their peers in reading and spelling seven years later.
Landmark Scottish study that found children taught using synthetic phonics were still ahead of their peers in reading and spelling seven years later.
Recommended Books
For a deeper dive into the science of reading and synthetic phonics.
Reading Reflex
Why Our Children Can’t Read
Beginning to Read: Thinking and Learning about Print
Teaching Systematic Synthetic Phonics in Primary Schools
Proust and the Squid: The Story and Science of the Reading Brain
Useful Websites
Learning2Read →
Keeps Australian parents and teachers informed on the best ways to teach early reading and spelling.
Keeps Australian parents and teachers informed on the best ways to teach early reading and spelling.
Reading Reform Foundation →
From the team who lobbied the UK government to make synthetic phonics mandatory.
From the team who lobbied the UK government to make synthetic phonics mandatory.