British Phonics Expert Asks for Conservative Party Clarification

The following is a copy of the letter, 22 July 2005, to David Cameron, Conservative MP for Witney, and Nick Gibb, Conservative MP for Bognor Regis, from Alan Davies, Chartered Educational Psychologist, Chester, asking for clarification of the Conservative Partys directive on the implementation of Synthetic Phonics in British schools.

(PRWEB) July 28, 2005 -- Here is a copy of the letter, 22 July 2005, to David Cameron, Conservative MP for Witney, and Nick Gibb, Conservative MP for Bognor Regis, from Alan Davies, Chartered Educational Psychologist, Chester, asking for clarification of the Conservative Partys directive on the implementation of Synthetic Phonics in British schools.

Synthetic Phonics: Artificial or Natural Synthesis?

Both of you have stated, in writing and on national television (BBC Newsnight), that synthetic phonics is the best way of teaching children the basic building blocks of reading and writing -- and the Government should implement synthetic phonics in British primary schools from next term.

However, there are two main approaches to synthetic phonics - one starts by using Artificial Synthesis and the other starts by using Natural Synthesis - and you do not state which of the two approaches should be implemented. As a matter of interest, the recent report, overseen by Barry Sheerman, Labour MP for Huddersfield, Teaching Children To Read (Education Select Committee, House of Commons) uses the example: ...synthetic phonics involves segmenting words into the smallest unit of sound, then teaching children to blend these sounds together to form words. So the word 'street is broken down into five components: 's-t-r-ee-t. (p13). This is an excellent explanation of the starting point of Natural Synthesis but not Artificial Synthesis.

In early 1992, Gyles Brandreth, Conservative MP for Chester, posted my THRASS synthetic phonics programme (which starts by using Natural Synthesis) to Kenneth Clarke, Conservative MP for Rushcliffe, Secretary of State for Education (as reported by the Chester Evening Leader, 3 February, attached). A letter of reply stated: The Department was interested to receive further information about THRASS and its approach to the teaching of literacy, which does not appear incompatible with the requirements of the National Curriculum. However, as you are aware, it is for local education authorities and schools, within the broad framework of the National Curriculum, to determine how children are taught in schools and what textbooks and materials are used."

Now, well over a decade later, THRASS is used in thousands of schools worldwide, including in Africa. Indeed, a South African university, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, has recently made THRASS training compulsory for all foundation phase student teachers (130 student teacher evaluations and 15 video interviews are available for viewing on www.thrass.co.uk/nm.htm). Related to this, two senior teachers from Bognor Regis (Mr Gibbs constituency), recently completed the two days of THRASS training in Hampshire (12 July) and wrote:

A very thorough explanation of the concepts and materials. Pacey, interesting and well presented with action and humour. AND Enthusiastic, hard hitting, relevant. Great resources. Really made a difference to my understanding.

On behalf of the thousands of schools that use THRASS worldwide (Australian school teachers attended over 400 days of training last year), I would be grateful if you would let me know if Gyles Brandreth was wasting his time, in sending my synthetic phonics programme to Kenneth Clarke all those years ago, because the Conservative Party now favours the artificial synthesis approach to synthetic phonics? Or do you favour both approaches?

Copies: Andrew Miller, Labour MP for Ellesmere Port & Neston; Barry Sheerman, Labour MP for Huddersfield; Ruth Kelly, Labour MP for Bolton West, Secretary of State for Education

UK: Mike Meade, Media Director, THRASS UK 01829 741413 Mob: 07970 151 738 mikemeade@thrass.co.uk
INTERNATIONAL: Chris Griffiths, International Development, THRASS UK +30 266 203 1207 chrisgriffiths@thrass.co.uk
WEBSITE: www.thrass.co.uk

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