Written question asked by Annette Brooke (Liberal Democrat) on Monday, 12 December 2011, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 15 December 2011. It was answered by Nick Gibb (Conservative) on Tuesday, 20 December 2011 on behalf of the Department for Education.

Reading: Primary Education

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Education whether his Department plans to issue guidance to primary schools on implementing the phonics screening at age six; and whether any such guidance will include information on how to assist children with speech, language and communication needs.

Answer: [holding answer 15 December 2011]: The Department is issuing three pieces of guidance for schools in relation to administering the year 1 phonics screening check. The first is the assessment and reporting arrangements (ARA) which explains the statutory requirements for administering the check in 2012. The second is a check administration guide and the third is a video version of this guide. These guides are more bespoke to the nature of the check and they refer to the responsibility of schools to ensure provision is made to meet the needs of all children with special educational needs. One of the reasons for producing a video version is that this medium can most clearly provide advice to teachers administering the check to pupils with speech, language and communication needs.

Secondary information