The government prioritizes systematic synthetic phonics as a key strategy in the teaching of reading. This core text is your guide to teaching systematic synthetic phonics in primary schools.

The book′s balance of research and practice and its focused approach enables you to develop an in-depth understanding of what works in phonics teaching, and why.

It begins with the subject knowledge that underpins effective teaching and goes on to explore pedagogy from the early years to Key Stage 2. It includes guidance on systematic progression, intervention and multi-sensory and interactive methods.

This 4th edition includes a new section ′Challenges in learning and teaching phonics′ supporting you to meet the individual needs of children. 

Wendy Jolliffe is Professor of Education and worked in Initial Teacher Education (ITE) for 14 years; latterly as Head of Teacher Education at the University of Hull. She worked previously as a Regional Adviser for the National Strategies and advised ITT providers on effective provision for literacy.  She has published extensively in Primary English and Cooperative Learning. David Waugh is a former deputy headteacher who worked in ITT from 1990 at the University of Hull, where he led the PGCE course and became Head of Department. In 2008 he was appointed as one of two (the other being Wendy) National Strategies Regional Advisers for ITT. He is currently lectures at Durham University. He has published extensively in primary English, as well as developing e-learning resources for National Strategies for English, mathematics and mentoring and coaching. David also writes children’s stories, including The Wishroom, which was written with 45 children from 15 East Durham primary schools and published in 2017. Angela Gill is Programme Director for BA Primary Education and subject lead for Primary English at Durham University, working on both UG and PGCE programmes. She is an experienced teacher and worked in primary classrooms for many years before taking up the post at Durham University.