NUT comment on Phonics Report
Thursday, 7 July 2011 1:50 PM
Commenting on the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Education ‘Report of the Inquiry into Overcoming the Barriers to Literacy’, Christine Blower, General Secretary of the National Union of Teachers, the largest teachers’ union said:
“This report reflects exactly what the NUT has been saying all along. Phonics has a place in the teaching of reading but should never be considered as the only method by which children learn.
“Despite the conclusion of the All-Party Group’s inquiry, the Government has stated that it intends to continue with its policy of synthetic phonics. In the light of this independent report and the view of the profession, it is an unacceptable position to take. Yet again we see a blatant disregard for the opinion of teachers and a total lack of trust in their judgement.
“Teachers need to be able to adapt the teaching methods they use. A ‘one size fits all’ approach simply does not work. As with the Academies programme, the Government’s heavy handed approach to linking match funding phonics products and training is another example of pushing schools down a route they would perhaps not take if financial concerns due to cuts to their budgets were not paramount.
“Synthetic phonics is not the Holy Grail when it comes to the teaching of reading. Schools are already using phonics. The most important issue for teachers is that children and young people develop a love of reading. Teachers understand more than anyone that reading for pleasure plays a significant role in the development of children as readers. As this report warns, being prescriptive about teaching methods for reading can alienate children from this process.
“It is extremely disheartening that the Government would wish to stand in the way of such an admirable goal. This is a position they should be ashamed of and immediately backtrack from. If the Government is really serious about improving reading standards it needs to look at the wider social implications of some of its policies such as cuts to libraries, one to one intervention for children who are struggling to read, book donation schemes and health care.
“The Government needs to take another read of the NUT’s online resource guide, Reading for Pleasure (1), endorsed by Michael Rosen, which demonstrates the best way for teachers to encourage all our children to read for pleasure as well as necessity.”
END
For further information contact Caroline Cowie on 0207 380 4706 or 07879480061
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