
Phonics Forever explores the most effective way to teach children to read and spell, based on current educational research and leading-edge classroom practice—this is the course you wish you’d had when you did your teacher training.
Course Content
Written specifically for the Scottish context, this essential and challenging course:
- Discusses the nature, history and complexities of the English language and how the Alphabetic Code can be taught and made tangible for learners
- Reviews current research, outlining what is regarded as best practice using the Principles of Systematic Synthetic Phonics
- Demonstrates why phonics isn’t just for early years—but for everyone—for ever!
- Considers current reading practice in Scotland including Curriculum for Excellence‘s experiences and outcomes
- Explores leading-edge classroom practices for the teaching of reading, writing and spelling, including core practice and application of skills such as decoding and blending for reading and encoding and segmenting for spelling
- Provides practical advice, activities and resources to support teaching and continuous assessment, including how to engage learners and parents in this process
Phonics Forever equips delegates with the pedagogical subject knowledge, skills and resources to ensure that all children they work with succeed in reading. If you are looking for an evidence-based intervention to close the attainment gap in your school, this course will be of benefit to every teacher, regardless of age and stage.
Supporting Resources
To support all of the above, delegates will be introduced to Phonics International a complete, comprehensive and highly practical synthetic phonics programme approved by the DfE which is now free for schools. Written by Debbie Hepplewhite MBE, this engaging and flexible resource provides all of the materials necessary to establish consistent practice and methodology in school. As well as teaching children to understand the Alphabetic Code and to read, write and spell in a carefully planned and systematic way, the resource can be used as a spelling programme and also as an intervention at any stage, primary or secondary, for struggling readers.
Schools can also choose from other leading phonics programmes and resources, all validated by the Department for Education (DfE), which are based on the same research-informed principles and concepts covered in the training:
- Phonics International by Debbie Hepplewhite (for P1-P7 & intervention)
- Rocket Phonics from Rising Stars (Hodder Education) by Abigail Steel (for Primary 1-2)
- Floppy’s Phonics Sounds and Letters (Oxford University Press) by Debbie Hepplewhite (for Primary 1-3)
- No Nonsense Phonics (Raintree) by Debbie Hepplewhite (for Primary 1-3 & intervention)
Advice and information on buying decodable reading books to support children’s progress is also provided.
Click here to enquire, email hello@thelearningzoo.co.uk or call Anne on 01851 850700 to have an informal chat about your requirements.
Click here to read feedback from teachers about Phonics Forever
Online Self-Study Training
Can’t wait for inset or need training now? The following courses provide instant online access to self-study video training for schools or individuals.
- Phonics Training Online with Debbie Hepplewhite (Master’s credits/accreditation available)
- Online Training for Rocket Phonics with Abigail Steel (Suitable for Primary 1/YR-Primary 2/Y1)
- How to Teach Key Stage 3 Phonics with Abigail Steel (Suitable for intervention in secondary schools)





