National Year of Reading Phonics 2026-03-02
2026-03-02
TAGS
Response quality
Questions & Answers
Q1
Partial Answer
▸
Context
The questioner references the National Year of Reading 2026 and highlights a challenge in her constituency where one in four children fail their key stage 1 phonics standards.
What steps she is taking through the National Year of Reading 2026 to improve phonics attainment at key stage 1.
The National Year of Reading is about encouraging children to discover the magic of reading. There will be exciting events and resources in schools and libraries across the country, including in Knowsley, to help children improve their reading and discover a love of books.
▸
Assessment & feedback
Specific steps or commitments to improve phonics attainment in Knowsley were not provided
Response accuracy
Q2
Partial Answer
▸
Context
The questioner expresses her enthusiasm for reading and highlights a challenge in her constituency where one in four children fail their key stage 1 phonics standards.
In Knowsley, one in four children fail their key stage 1 phonics standards. How will the National Year of Reading help kids in my constituency improve their reading and discover the same love of a good book that I have?
There will be exciting events and resources in schools and libraries across the country, including in Knowsley, to help children improve their reading and discover a love of books.
▸
Assessment & feedback
Specific steps or commitments to improve phonics attainment in Knowsley were not provided
Response accuracy
Q3
Partial Answer
▸
Context
The questioner highlights the correlation between daily reading to young children and better outcomes later in life.
Reading daily to young children is shown to have a direct correlation with better outcomes, qualifications and social mobility later in life. However, many parents are not aware of this. Will the Government run a national advertising campaign to promote directly to new parents the need and the value of reading to their children every day?
Through the National Year of Reading, we will be supporting exactly those kinds of initiatives, and through our Best Start family hubs we will ensure that parents get high-quality advice about the best ways to support their children's learning at home.
▸
Assessment & feedback
Specific details about a national advertising campaign were not provided
Response accuracy
Q4
Partial Answer
▸
Context
The questioner notes that children are increasingly swiping books instead of turning pages and asks about the impact of screens on phonics standards.
When I visit primary and first schools, teachers tell me that more and more children starting school are swiping books, rather than knowing how to turn the page. If the Secretary of State is serious about raising phonics standards at key stage 1, will she act now to empower parents and get screens out of classrooms, and back a ban on social media for under-16s to create the right habits early?
We have launched a consultation on phones in schools. I am clear that phones have no place in our schools, and schools should enforce that policy and ensure that it is being followed.
▸
Assessment & feedback
Specific commitment to ban social media for under-16s was not given
Response accuracy