The reading framework: teaching the foundations of literacy

Guidance for schools to meet existing expectations for teaching early reading.

Documents

The reading framework: teaching the foundations of literacy – all sections and appendices

PDF, 961 KB, 115 pages

Section 1: the importance of reading and a conceptual model

PDF, 313 KB, 11 pages

Section 2: language comprehension

PDF, 380 KB, 22 pages

Section 3: word reading and spelling

PDF, 386 KB, 31 pages

Section 4: children at risk of reading failure

PDF, 266 KB, 9 pages

Section 5: leadership and management

PDF, 257 KB, 9 pages

Section 6: building on the foundations with older pupils – a summary

PDF, 155 KB, 5 pages

Details

This guidance is for:

• teachers
• school leaders
• reading and literacy leads
• governing bodies
• ITT providers

This guidance:

• focuses on the early stages of teaching reading and the contribution of talk, stories and systematic synthetic phonics (SSP)
• supports primary school leaders to evaluate their teaching of early reading and best practice for improving early reading, especially in Reception and Year 1, and older pupils who have not yet mastered the foundations of reading
• helps schools to meet existing expectations for teaching early reading, as set out in:
  • the national curriculum programmes of study
  • the statutory framework for the early years foundation stage
  • Ofsted’s education inspection framework

This document has been developed through the contributions of experts from across the literacy sector and school leaders. It is based on the valued experience and knowledge of teachers, reading and language experts, educational organisations, English Hubs council members, and our 34 English Hubs.

Schools considering purchasing a new SSP programme can find more information at choosing a phonics programme.

Further support for schools is available through our English Hubs Programme, including information on £5 million additional funding for the purchase of SSP programmes. Schools wanting to find out more about the funding should contact one of the following English Hubs:

• North: Jerry Clay English Hub
• Midlands: Learners First English Hub
• South: New Wave English Hub

Published 10 July 2021
Last updated 27 January 2022 – hide all updates

1. 27 January 2022Corrected a sentence about decodable books and texts on page 51 of ‘The reading framework: teaching the foundations of literacy – all sections and appendices’ and page 15 of ‘Section 3: word reading and spelling’.
2. 10 July 2021First published.