Written question asked by Nick Gibb (Conservative) on Thursday, 12 June 2003, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Friday, 20 June 2003. It was answered by Stephen Twigg (Labour) on Friday, 20 June 2003 on behalf of the Department for Education and Skills.

Dept for Education and Skills

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, pursuant to his Answer of 10th June, 406 c785W, on synthetic appliances, if he will list the international research over the last 30 years on which the teaching of phonics in the National Literary Strategy is based; how many schools have adopted the Jolly Phonics programme; and when he will publish the report on the seminar of 17th March. - Inc ref to Roger Beard's 'Review of Research and Other Related Evidence' available at www.standards.dfes.gov.uk/literacy/publications, and fact that report of phonics seminar on 17 March 2003 will be published shortly.

Answer: Mr. Gibb: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills pursuant to his answer of 10 June 2003, Official Report, column 785W, on synthetic appliances, if he will list the international research over the last 30 years on which the teaching of phonics in the National Literary Strategy is based; how many schools have adopted the Jolly Phonics programme; and when he will publish the report on the seminar of 17 March 2003. [119912] Mr. Stephen Twigg: The teaching of phonics in the National Literacy Strategy (NLS) is based on a wide range of research, and can be found in Roger Beard's "Review of Research and Other Related Evidence", which is available on the Department for Education and Skills Standards website at: www.standards.dfes.gov.uk/ literacy/publications The Department does not collect information on the number of schools who have adopted the Jolly Phonics or any other commercial programme. Schools are able to choose from a range of phonics programmes, including the NLS Progression in Phonics, as well as other commercial schemes. It is up to individual schools and teachers to decide which scheme is most effective in meeting the needs of their pupils. The report on the phonics seminar of 17 March 2003 will be published shortly.

Secondary information