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How to select a high-quality phonics scheme

Find out how to choose a validated phonics programme, and see examples of how schools use them.

Last reviewed on 19 December 2025See updates
School types: All•School phases: Primary•Ref: 864
Contents
  1. Assess your staff's phonics teaching confidence first
  2. Use the DfE’s essential criteria for phonics programmes
  3. Consider your school context 
  4. Ofsted will look at your phonics provision
  5. See how other schools are using phonics programmes
  6. Next steps

It's a statutory requirement to teach phonics at reception and Key Stage 1 (KS1) and administer the phonics screening check to all eligible pupils.

Assess your staff's phonics teaching confidence first

Use our subject knowledge audit to get an idea of your staff's confidence in teaching phonics, and where they might need more support.

KeyDoc: staff phonics knowledge – audit DOC, 181.5 KB
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Use the DfE’s essential criteria for phonics programmes

Review the 16 essential core criteria here A programme should: Constitute a complete SSP programme providing fidelity to its teaching framework for the duration of the programme Present systematic synthetic phonic work as the prime approach to decoding print Enable children to start learning phonic knowledge and skills early in reception, and provide a structured route for most children to meet or exceed the expected standard