In June 2023, Mike Glavin wrote a blog entitled Beyond My Relationship With A Phonic Fairy. Since then he has engaged with ten schools in Wales to:
- determine the impact on standards in phonics of using a DFE validated synthetic phonics scheme in school in Wales
- to identify any factors that increase/inhibit the impact of the selected scheme on standards. (Enablers and Barriers)
Hi Mike,
My name is Michelle Marshall. I am a recently “semi retired” Foundation Phase teacher and literacy specialist.
Wow! What an investigation into the teaching of phonics. It was REALLY interesting to get a much wider view of issues across Wales. The standards issue is frightening!
I also have severe reservations about how I have seen reading being taught – if it is being taught at all. In my experience, I found that whilst many FP staff “listen” to readers, ironically for a very large percentage of their teaching time, few are systematically teaching children how to make the connections between their phonics teaching, word knowledge, writing, oracy and how to use their critical thinking skills to make those connections!
I was a FP / Literacy Advisory Teacher for CSC for a few years (Ruth Best was my line manager) . Ruth and myself did a little bit of phonics training. We knew then that there were massive issues with inconsistent approaches, lack of training and pedagogical awareness, etc. Nearly all teacher’s reported that they had NOT been trained at University in how to teach this area. So, to read your research was very enlightening! Thank you for sharing.
Cofion cynnes,
Michelle
Thank you Michelle.
I really appreciate your comments.
There are some who are refusing to recognise the standards issue in Wales, preferring to have blind faith in failed pedagogy.
I am delighted that my professional enquiry has provoked discussion and even more pleased that at least 30 schools in Wales that have now adopted the systematic synthetic phonics programme used in my study.
Thanks again for taking the time to comment.
Mike