Subject-specific teachers when this involves literacy (reading, spelling, writing of any description)
Teaching assistants
Supply teachers, tutors and student-teachers
English/Literacy and Special Needs co-ordinators, specialists and advisors
School governors, parent volunteers
Inspectors
Anyone in Key Stage 3, or adult education, with an interest in phonics and basic literacy skills for mainstream, special needs and English as a new or additional language
Summary of training
Discuss with us the needs of your secondary school and we can offer suggestions for an INSET day – content, timing and attendance as appropriate - along the following lines:
Your trainer can provide a full INSET day on the Systematic Synthetic Phonics Teaching Principles based on Debbie's ‘two-pronged systematic and incidental phonics teaching approach’ to clarify for all subject teachers how they can quickly adopt a shared understanding of the English alphabetic code for reading and spelling.
A common approach can be used by all teaching staff in very simple ways to support reading, and in particular spelling, across the wider curriculum wherever reading and writing is required – with the use in every classroom of a large-scale Alphabetic Code Chart (version as preferred) as a constant spelling reference aid linking sounds identified in spoken words with the specific spelling alternatives required.
It is important to explore the ‘perception’ of phonics knowledge and skills of staff and pupils as many people fail to appreciate well enough the sub-conscious role of phonics acquisition and skills’ application for reading and spelling new, longer and more challenging words even of fully literate adults.
The training will include a thorough look at modern Systematic Synthetic Phonics practices and how the Phonics International programme’s core resources and practices can be used as an intervention programme to boost reading, spelling and handwriting; as a phonics programme for learners with English as a weak additional language or new language; and as a spelling programme according to identified needs in the school.
Your trainer will address the following aspects of professional knowledge and practical management in her training events adapted to the needs of secondary schools as required:
Practical methods to manage:
how to assess and plan for phonics and spelling lessons when pupils’ knowledge of the letter/s-sound correspondences of the complex alphabetic code is so varied
differentiation (addressing: groups or whole class organisation; the widening divide; special needs; time scales and ‘little and often’ provision; pupils for whom English is a new or additional language; ‘two-pronged systematic and incidental phonics provision’; supporting and extending pupils as they need based on different speeds of working and learning)
simple resource preparation and use to ensure a balance of teaching or revisiting the letter/s-sound correspondences of the alphabetic code and of pupils practising (as individuals) the three core skills (reading, spelling, handwriting) and their sub-skills – applying and extending to text level and spelling word bank knowledge routinely
inclusion of vocabulary enrichment, dictionary work, language comprehension, grammar as appropriate, and building up knowledge of spelling rules/patterns, spelling word banks and specific words as listed in the English national curriculum
seating arrangements and grouping within whole class provision
simple incidental phonics teaching methods to support reading and spelling/writing across the wider curriculum supported by the use of Alphabetic Code Charts
informing parents via parents information events and as a continuum through pupils’ personal phonics folders in the school’s book-bag routine - working in partnership where possible
teachers, teaching assistants, support teachers and volunteers working in partnership with a common understanding, shared practices and ethos
consistency and continuity from teacher to teacher and year to year for as long as required
Professional knowledge:
A fearless and high-expectations ethos for approaching the teaching of reading, handwriting and spelling, and for marking spelling, based on a shared appreciation with the pupils of ‘the history of the English language’ and of the subsequent complex nature of the ‘English alphabetic code’
The Systematic Synthetic Phonics Teaching Principles – what they are and what they’re not
A change of perception of the role of phonics for long-term adult spelling and reading and raising awareness of the possible habits/dangers of silent reading
The Teaching and Learning Cycle for phonics and literacy basic skills provision including a simple approach to assessment and rigorous approach to teaching and supporting spelling capability
The Simple View of Reading diagram – its use to clarify the two main processes involved in reading acquisition (word recognition and language comprehension) and reflecting on pupils’ reading profiles (plus a look at a similar diagram for the Simple View of Writing)
A critical evaluation of ‘miscue analysis’ – the ‘running record’
Guided and group reading – varied approaches based on the Simple View of Reading to complement reading activities of the cumulative material provided within the phonics programme
A detailed analysis of the opaque English alphabetic code and its three complexities
Saying the vowel sounds and consonant sounds as close as possible to the sounds in natural speech – and knowing why we need to teach some units of sound as ‘combined sounds’ consisting of more than just a single phoneme
The advantages of the Alphabetic Code Chart as: an organisational aid; a training, teaching and learning resource; and an informative accountability tool as part of the school’s literacy policy
Evaluating mnemonic systems (aids to memory) for teaching the sounds and spelling alternatives of the complex or extended alphabetic code
The relationship between the alphabetic code and the alphabet – distinguishing their roles
The Phonics Routines – simple hand routines for reading, spelling and handwriting (currently the phonics hand routines used in many schools to support reading and spelling are often varied, muddled and misunderstood) – and how to modify the routines as pupils progress and get older
Multi-sensory teaching (VAK) and what this looks like for progressive phonics provision; understanding the difference between ‘core/focused’ activities and ‘extraneous’ activities taking age and stage of learning into account
The power of pupil-engagement and the need for permanent visual resources for the learner (from code to word to text level, for letter formation and for specific words and spelling word banks) to maximise learning; the importance of the personal phonics folder and the phonics exercise book (and the dangers of mis-use or over-use of mini whiteboards and marker pens)
Effective and easy-to-manage assessment practices per pupil using the core resources (Say the Sounds Posters, Multi-skills Activity Sheets, Cumulative Texts, Spelling word banks): informal and detailed assessment as a continuum; periodic formal assessment for teachers’ records
Essential fit-for-purpose charts and posters for high-quality visual display – permanent, cumulative, ‘as required’ - for teaching and learning purposes
Support and expectations for learning common tricky words for reading and spelling
Building up awareness and knowledge of spelling alternatives and spelling word banks – effective practices including mnemonic illustrations, drawing and acting, and spelling story themes
Building capacity for teachers to assess for themselves the usefulness of various phonics and spelling resources, spelling and handwriting programmes and practices
Auditing and enhancing phonics, handwriting, basic skills and continued spelling provision under the auspices of a phonics/spelling or literacy manager
Training costs (fully inclusive of materials and expenses*)
Whole-Day INSET (min 6 hrs training time required)
£1395* plus VAT
Two full days of lesson observations, lesson modelling with staff training at 'twilight sessions' following each of the two school days. (min 2 x 2.5 hrs training time required for the twilight sessions). Days must be consecutive.
£2300* plus VAT
*Note: Scotland, Ireland, Northern Ireland and non-mainland UK will be subject to additional travelling costs.
Prices are based on maximum of 50 staff attending. For numbers over 50, a surcharge of £30 per person will apply.
To check availability and for all booking enquiries, contact us on 01635 8000 33 or fill out our online enquiry form.
