The department wants children to develop the habit of reading widely and often, for both pleasure and information. Research suggests that reading for pleasure is more important for children’s educational development than their parents’ level of education. The national curriculum states that teachers are expected to encourage pupils to develop the habit of reading widely. It emphasises the importance of pupils listening to, discussing, and as their fluency increases, reading for themselves a wide range of stories, poems, plays and information books. The department has not undertaken research on the specific contribution or role of audiobooks, however, welcomes their use alongside other formats of books.

In March, the department published the Schools White Paper. This sets out our long-term vision for a school system that helps every child to fulfil their potential by ensuring that they receive the right support, in the right place, at the right time.

At its heart is the Government’s Levelling Up mission. This aims that by 2030, 90% of children will leave primary school having achieved the expected standard in reading, writing and maths. As part of this, the department is committed to continuing to raise literacy standards, ensuring all children can read fluently and with understanding. Further information on the Schools White Paper can be accessed here: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/schools-white-paper-delivers-real-action-to-level-up-education.

The department is committed to raising literacy standards by following the evidence.

The evidence for systematic phonics is very secure. For example, the Education Endowment Foundation (EEF) have carried out a comprehensive review of robust studies on the impact of phonics and they found that systematic phonics is the most effective approach for teaching pupils to decode, including older pupils struggling with decoding, when embedded in a rich literacy environment.

The national curriculum is explicit that learning to decode words is just one element of becoming a fluent reader. This is based on the Simple View of Reading (explained in more detail in the July 2021 Reading Framework), which describes reading as the product of both decoding and language comprehension. This can be accessed here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/the-reading-framework-teaching-the-foundations-of-literacy.

The Schools White Paper builds on the department’s record of supporting the improvement of literacy standards over the past decade, including the introduction of the Phonics Screening Check; the English Hubs Programme; the publication of the reading framework; and the validation of phonics programmes. The English Hubs are currently delivering intensive support to over 1,000 partner schools and will continue to support schools to drive up literacy standards, including driving improvements in the quality of reading education for those not meeting expected standards in literacy. The full White Paper can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/opportunity-for-all-strong-schools-with-great-teachers-for-your-child.

The department will also make it easier for schools to access the best evidence of 'what works' by re-endowing the EEF with at least £100 million, developing and scaling literacy and numeracy interventions with over £55 million via our Accelerator Fund, and introducing a menu of recommended evidence-based approaches linked to the Pupil Premium.

In addition, from Autumn 2022, the National Professional Qualification for Leading Literacy will be available. This qualification has been designed to develop teachers’ expertise in leading the development of pupils’ language, reading, and writing in all key stages and is aimed at teachers and leaders who have, or are aspiring to have, responsibilities for leading literacy across a school, year group, key stage, or phase. The content framework which underpins this qualification was published in October 2021 and can be accessed here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/national-professional-qualifications-npqs-reforms/national-professional-qualifications-npqs-reforms. Further details around eligibility and funding for this qualification will be announced in due course.