Recommended DfE Validated Phonics Programmes

Phonics International by Debbie Hepplewhite (Comprehensive, FREE phonics programme which can be used from P1-P7 for phonics, reading, spelling and intervention)
https://phonicsinternational.com/

Rocket Phonics by Abigail Steel (P1-P3, Hodder/Rising Stars)
https://www.risingstars-uk.com/subjects/reading-and-ebooks/rising-stars-reading-planet/reading-planet-reception-and-ks1/rocket-phonics/rocket-phonics-ssp-programme

Floppy’s Phonics Sounds and Letters by Debbie Hepplewhite (P1-P3, OUP)
https://floppysphonics.com/

No Nonsense Phonics by Debbie Hepplewhite (P1-P3 & Intervention, Raintree)
https://phonicsintervention.org/product/no-nonsense-phonics-skills-box-set/

Wand Phonics by Debbie Hepplewhite (fully-editable online digital interactive resource to accompany Phonics International or No Nonsense Phonics)
https://wand.education/


Anne Glennie’s Petition

Current Petition *Live and under consideration* (lodged 2023) https://petitions.parliament.scot/petitions/PE2037

Petition from 2017 (lodged in June 2017 and closed in May 2022) https://petitions.parliament.scot/petitions/PE1668

Anne giving evidence at the Scottish Parliament in 2017 https://youtu.be/4mzciIZH4bA?si=pyNMK3ROZciyKqLb

Anne delivering training for Education Scotland in the ‘Science of Reading’ at the Scottish Learning Festival in 2022 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=37DjCrEyiGQ


Alphabetic Code Charts

A full range of over 30 free Alphabetic Code Charts https://alphabeticcodecharts.com/

Handout: English Alphabetic Code Chart A4 https://www.thelearningzoo.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/English-Alphabetic-Code-Chart.pdf


Phonics International Quick Links

Assessments A useful range of assessments, that can be used formally or informally, to easily identify gaps in children’s phonics knowledge and determine which units in the PI programme are suitable. https://phonicsinternational.com/assessment.html

Phonics International Programme Overview and How to Use
https://phonicsinternational.com/how2.pdf

Free Resources Page (A goldmine!) https://phonicsinternational.com/free-resources/


Phonics Forever Course Links and Resources

Code-based Spelling Activities Sheet https://www.thelearningzoo.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/Spelling-Activities.pdf

Phonics International Sample Progression for Scotland https://www.thelearningzoo.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/Phonics-International-Whole-School-Sample-Progression-for-Scotland.pdf

The Golden Ticket: Diane McGuiness’s Prototype for Teaching the English Alphabetic Code https://www.thelearningzoo.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/The-Golden-Ticket-The-Prototype-Diane-McGuinness.pdf

The Simple View of Reading Diagram https://www.thelearningzoo.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/The-Simple-View-of-Reading.pdf

Petition to the Scottish Parliament on research-informed reading instruction https://www.parliament.scot/GettingInvolved/Petitions/readinginstruction

The Literacy Ice Lolly https://www.thelearningzoo.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/The-Literacy-Ice-Lolly.pdf

How to Spot Fake Phonics https://www.thelearningzoo.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/How-to-Spot-Fake-Phonics.pdf

Identifying Reading Problems Key https://www.thelearningzoo.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/Identifying-Reading-Problems-Bifurcating-Key.pdf

From Phonics Phobic to Phonics Fanatic https://www.thelearningzoo.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/NATE_TE-Primary-Matters_Summer-2017_32%C3%94%C3%87%C3%B434-GLENIE.pdf

Phonics Disco Editable PowerPoint Slides https://www.thelearningzoo.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/Phonics-Disco.pptx


Ontario Human Rights Commission: Right To Read Report

Executive Summary
https://www.ohrc.on.ca/en/right-to-read-inquiry-report

Free Audio Book Summary
https://www.ohrc.on.ca/en/right-read-inquiry-report/executive-summary-audiobook


Decodable Reading Books

Many companies will be happy to send you samples and offer discounts on bulk purchases. Make sure the books you are ordering are fully decodable and are not ‘banded’ or ‘levelled’. Not all books advertised as ‘decodable’ are of a high quality.

Phonics International/No Nonsense Phonics

Hard copy and eBooks available. *NEW* Online eBook Library by Debbie Hepplewhite to support Phonics International or No Nonsense Phonics. Perfect for use on the Smartboard or on devices. Extremely rich vocabulary; will add challenge and stretch to your current decodable book choices. Highly recommended. See online sample at the link below: https://phonicsintervention.org/product/ebook-versions-of-phonics-reading-books/

Reading Planet Rocket Phonics

Attractive, inclusive and varied range of decodable reading books from Hodder/Rising Stars with fiction and nonfiction titles https://www.risingstars-uk.com/subjects/reading-and-ebooks/rising-stars-reading-planet/reading-planet-reception-and-ks1/rocket-phonics

Phonic Books Huge range of decodable reading books, particularly suitable strands for older children including the very popular Dandelion Readers https://www.phonicbooks.co.uk/

Floppy’s Phonics Decodable books to accompany Floppy’s Phonics from Oxford University Press https://floppysphonics.com/

Piper Books Designed especially for learners with ASN, decodable readers from beginner to adult https://piperbooks.co.uk/

Big Cat Phonics from Collins https://collins.co.uk/pages/phonics-for-letters-and-sounds


Phonics Forever Course Research References

‘Virtually all children (95%+) can be taught to read with systematic synthetic phonics despite background and circumstances.’

Burk, K., Hasbrouck, J. (2023)

Burk, K., Hasbrouck, J. (2023). Connecting the science of reading to social justice: Introduction to the special section. Sch Psychol. 2023 Jan;38(1):4-6. doi: 10.1037/spq0000536. PMID: 36745100.
https://psycnet.apa.org/fulltext/2023-44323-002.html

‘The rate of foundation literacy acquisition is slower by a ratio of about 2.5:1 in English than it is in most European orthographies.’

Seymour, P. H. K., Aro, M., & Erskine, J. M. (2003)

Seymour, P. H. K., Aro, M., & Erskine, J. M. (2003). Foundation literacy acquisition in European orthographies. British Journal of Psychology, 94(2), 143-174.
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/10710502_Foundation_literacy_acquisition_in_European_orthographies_Electronic_version

Grant, M. (2014). The Effects of a Systematic Synthetic Phonics Programme on Reading, Writing and Spelling https://www.syntheticphonics.net/pdf/2014-Report.pdf

Rose, J. (2006). Independent Review of the Teaching of Early Reading. DfES.
https://dera.ioe.ac.uk/id/eprint/5551/2/report.pdf

Johnston, R.S. and Watson, J.E. (2005). A seven-year study of the effects of synthetic phonics teaching on reading and spelling attainment.
https://dera.ioe.ac.uk/id/eprint/14793/1/0023582.pdf

Yoncheva YN, Wise J, McCandliss B. (2015) Hemispheric specialization for visual words is shaped by attention to sublexical units during initial learning.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25935827/

James, K.H. and Engelhardt, L. (2012). The effects of handwriting experience on functional brain development in pre-literate children
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4274624/


Reading Research and Discussion

For research information, the following sites are highly recommended:
The UK Reading Reform Foundation http://rrf.org.uk/
The International Foundation for Effective Reading Instruction https://iferi.org/
Susan Godsland’s award-winning site http://www.dyslexics.org.uk/

Right to Read Scotland: should reading or school in Scotland be delayed until age 7? https://righttoread.co.uk/


Additional Support Needs (ASN)

Phonics for Pupils with SEN by Ann Sullivan https://www.routledge.com/Phonics-for-Pupils-with-Special-Educational-Needs/book-series/PPSEN
Ann Sullivan’s website https://www.phonicsforpupilswithspecialeducationalneeds.com/
Ann Sullivan Twitter @PhonicsforSEN
Decodable readers from beginner to adult designed for children with ASN/SEN https://piperbooks.co.uk/


Additional Resources by Debbie Hepplewhite

Floppy’s Phonics Programme Overview https://floppysphonics.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/Debbie_PROGRAMME-OVERVIEW-AND-PHOTOS-FPsFINAL.pdf
Comprehensive online phonics training course from Debbie Hepplewhite (Master’s credits/accreditation available) https://phonicstrainingonline.com/
Free alphabet and handwriting resources https://debbiehepplewhitehandwriting.com/
Debbie’s font collection https://linkpenfonts.co.uk/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=19&products_id=70


Phonics Screening Check and Useful Reports from England

Phonics Screening Check Materials (highly recommended!) https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/national-curriculum-assessments-practice-materials#phonics-screening-check

Bold Beginnings’ looks at the Reception (Primary 1) curriculum in successful schools and how well it prepared 4 and 5 year olds for the rest of their education and beyond https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/663560/28933_Ofsted_-Early_Years_Curriculum_Report-_Accessible.pdf

The Early Reading Framework (July 2021) https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/1000986/Reading_framework_Teaching_the_foundations_of_literacy_-_July-2021.pdf

Ofsted Research Review Series: English (May 2022)

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/curriculum-research-review-series-english/curriculum-research-review-series-english

The Reading Framework (July 2023)

https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/1178136/The_Reading_Framework_2023.pdf


Recommended Reading: Books

Dehaene, S. (2009). Reading in the Brain.
McGuinness, D. (2004) Early Reading Instruction: What Science Tells Us
McGuinness, D. (1998) Why Children Can’t Read: And What We Can Do About It


Scots, Scottish English, and Phonics

Scottish Alphabetic Code Chart (for teacher reference only) https://www.thelearningzoo.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/Trial-Alphabetic-Code-Chart-for-Scottish-English.pdf