FEATURE FOCUS: FUNDING
though they will need to match-fund 25% of the value being claimed.
Encouragingly, even schools that are not part of an EIA may still unlock funding as long as they meet two or more criteria identified by the government: • Lower than the national average percentage of pupils meeting the expected standard in the Phonics Screening Check in their most recent results
• A higher-than-average proportion of children reading below age-related expectations
• A higher-than-average proportion of children eligible for pupil premium
• Ofsted judgement of Requires Improvement or Inadequate
• A high proportion of groups considered hard to reach, such as EAL, FSM, Roma, etc.
• Schools referred by local partners (e.g. NLEs, RSCs, LADs, EIA teams/boards).
Some Hubs will also fund schools who: • Have Ofsted ratings “good” or “outstanding”, but whose English practice indicates a risk of declining standards
• Have a Pupil Premium percentage equal to or below the national average
• Schools with children at KS1/KS2 but do not complete the Phonics Screening Check.
If you think your school is eligible for support, the great news is there are all sorts of leading resources and specialist programmes you will be able to access. Funding has to be spent by the end of the Summer Term, so schools should contact their local hub straightaway to check their eligibility for funding and timings.
English Hub Early Reading Audit A school’s first step in getting English Hub support is to conduct an internal evaluation of their current Early Reading provision. This is likely to be led by Headteachers, members of SLT, Reading Leaders and / or class teachers. Schools interested in support are also required to follow an English Hub’s referral process, often through a self-referral form, found on an English Hub’s website. Having evaluated referrals, Hubs will get in touch with any school that qualifies for further support with priority then given to those who can demonstrate a need for support and capacity to effect change. This need will be determined based on school context, including Pupil Premium figures, Ofsted rating and Phonics Screening Check results. For those schools that are eligible, an English Hub Literacy Specialist will visit to conduct an audit of provision.
Matched to Ofsted’s Education Inspection Framework, an English Hub audit carried out by a Literacy Specialist is an opportunity to identify areas of strength and areas for development within a school’s provision. It also provides the chance to discuss any actions needed for ensuring excellence with the teaching of phonics and early reading, consistency, resourcing and the use of decodable books and the training of staff, with a focus on: • Teaching with fidelity to the Systematic synthetic phonics programme
• Building a strong start in Reception • Ensuring Cumulative Progression of sounds and books
• Building a school of expert reading teachers • Reaching the lowest 20% pupils
• Building talking and listening into all activities across the whole day
• Developing pupils’ listening comprehension and language by reading aloud and talking about stories, poems and non-fiction books.
Literacy Specialists will also hold a discussion with the Headteacher, as well as the phonics lead, and conduct supportive observations of phonics provision in Reception and Key Stage 1. Following this, they will provide feedback, discussing next steps for the school and any additional support that the Hub can provide. This process can feed into schools’ development and implementation plans.
What literacy resources are covered by the funds? In addition to free Hub support, eligible applicants can access a range of DfE-approved Systematic Synthetic Phonics (SSP) Programmes using the funding to ensure high-quality phonics teaching and improved literacy levels for every child. SSP Programmes are proven to be the most effective way to teach children to read. In a ground-breaking, seven-year research trial and subsequent review, the Clackmannanshire study followed 300 primary-aged pupils split into three groups. The study found that the synthetic phonics approach was more effective than the analytical phonics approach, boosting pupils’ reading and spelling seven months ahead of their expected level.
In addition, data from the Progress in International Reading Literacy Study (PIRLs) in 2016 showed a significant improvement in the reading performance of boys in England (reducing the gap between boys and girls by 11 points since 2011), a finding that could be attributed to the roll out of systematic phonics programmes in England since 2010. It was also found to have helped close the gap between children of different genders and backgrounds, finding that “underachievers can be detected earlier and children are very motivated.” SSPs were especially effective for the lowest attaining
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www.education-today.co.uk 20% of children.
The government has since assessed and validated a number of SSPs to help children in schools. Some of these, including Bug Club Phonics from Pearson, are also offering related discounts for resources as part of their English Hubs package.
Your next steps
If you want to apply for English Hub funding, you can find your nearest Hub through an interactive map on the English Hubs website, and from there, contact them directly to begin the funding process. As mentioned previously, you will need to complete the Hubs self-referral forms so make sure you gather all the necessary information including phonics screening scores, reading assessment scores and more.
The Hub will then conduct an audit to determine the next steps and support package they can offer to your school.
Further information
English Hubs
http://www.englishhubs.org/ Clackmannanshire Report
https://www.pearson. com/uk/educators/schools/making-an-impact/ research-summaries/clackmannanshire-report. html
Priority Education Investment Areas https://assets.
publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/ system/uploads/attachment_data/file/1063088/ Priority_EIA_selection_methodology_FINAL.pdf Education Investment Areas https://assets.
publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/ system/uploads/attachment_data/file/1051431/ Education_Investment_Areas_selection_ methodology.pdf
For further information on Pearson’s Bug Club Phonics programme visit: u
https://www.pearsonschoolsandfecolleges.
co.uk/primary/subjects/english-literacy/bug- club-phonics
April 2023
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