Island won't follow UK lead on 'phonics' testing children

The Department of Education and Children says it won’t follow the UK by testing all primary school pupils using the phonics method.

Used to teach children to read - the system requires them to decode simple words and use made-up words to help them learn.

The UK will be testing children nationwide, but an Island-based primary school adviser says it should be seen as part of a wider pool of teaching processes.

Research by the UK’s National Association for the Teachers of English has suggested that an over-emphasis on phonics “can do more harm than good”.

Caroline Savin says all children learn in different ways, something they aim to cater for in the Island: