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/ Programme Overview and How to Use https://phonicsinternational.com/how2.pdf
Rocket Phonics by Abigail Steel (P1-2, Rising Stars) https://www.risingstars-uk.com/subjects/reading-and-ebooks/rising-stars-reading-planet/reading-planet-reception-and-ks1/rocket-phonics
Floppy’s Phonics Sounds and Letters by Debbie Hepplewhite (P1-3, OUP) https://floppysphonics.com/
No Nonsense Phonics by Debbie Hepplewhite (P1-3 & 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/teaching-resource/wand-phonics/
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
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
If you’re looking for a commercial test that goes beyond the Phonics Screening Check, this word reading test goes up to a reading age of 12 and, unlike most other ‘reading age’ tests, it contains a phonics and blending element too. https://www.gl-assessment.co.uk/products/diagnostic-test-of-word-reading-processes/
Anne Glennie Resources and Links
Fun and helpful 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
Scottish Alphabetic Code Chart https://www.thelearningzoo.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/Scottish-Alphabetic-Code-Chart-TRIAL.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
Decodable Reading Books
Many companies will be happy to send you samples. Make sure the books you are ordering are fully decodable and are not ‘banded’ or ‘levelled’.
New, attractive range of decodable reading books from Rising Stars https://www.risingstars-uk.com/subjects/reading-and-ebooks/rising-stars-reading-planet/reading-planet-reception-and-ks1/rocket-phonics
Huge range of decodable reading books https://www.phonicbooks.co.uk/
Decodable books to accompany Floppy’s Phonics from Oxford University Press https://floppysphonics.com/
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
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/
Other Phonics Programmes and Resources by Debbie Hepplewhite
Floppy’s Phonics Sounds and Letters https://floppysphonics.com/
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/
No Nonsense Phonics Skills (printed, pick-up-and-go resources with free training) https://phonicsintervention.org/no-nonsense-phonics-skills/
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)
The Reading Framework (July 2023)