What We Offer

Free Backfill Funded Early Reading Audit

Following a self-referral, we will be in touch to offer your school a free early reading audit to determine the level of support we can offer you, which may include:

Bespoke Advice and Recommendations

• A full report with recommended short and longer term actions to implement across the Hub’s three key aims: effective synthetic phonics provision; early language and oracy development; promotion of a love of reading across school.

Free CPD Support

• Half day locally based open events exploring the English Hub’s three key aims in more depth;
• Remote twilights covering such areas as HMI deep dive into reading; The role of a Reading Lead; ITT/ECT overview of phonics; Preparing for the PSC; Launchpad for Literacy Overview; Reading beyond Phonics; Hub Partner School Preparation;
• Regional conferences such as Professor Teresa Cremin’s “Reading for Pleasure”;
• Nationally accredited year long English Hub delivered programmes: “Transforming Schools’ Reading Culture” and “Early Language”.

Funding

• Funding for course costs/training portals to access accredited SSP training. To see the SSP programmes currently validated by the DfE please click here
• Funding for resources to deliver validated SSPs, such as handbooks, word cards, friezes and charts;
• Funding for decodable books matched to the validated SSP;
• Hub recommended early language materials.

Partner School Support

• Following an audit, schools are invited to enter into a partnership agreement with the English Hub to receive between 3 to 12 fully funded support days over a 12-24 month period with a nationally trained Hub Literacy Specialist;
• Priority booking to all free CPD events, plus access to bespoke partner school CPD and drop-ins;
• SSP specific assessment and data support;
• Signposting to follow up support following the initial partnership agreement.

Who Can Access Support

The following state funded schools are eligible to access English Hub support/funding:

• Infant schools
• Primary schools
• Junior schools
• Special schools with primary aged children
• Pupil Referral Units with primary aged children

To become a partner school, schools must have a KS1 cohort that completes the PSC (Phonics Screening Check).

If demand outweighs capacity, schools will be prioritised that meet two of the following criteria:

• Primary schools with a lower-than-average percentage of pupils meeting the expected standard in the Phonics Screening Check;
• Primary schools with lower-than-average PSC scores for disadvantaged pupils.
• Schools with the lowest PSC scores for disadvantaged pupils.
• Primary schools where the lowest 20% of pupils are not on track to meet the expected standard.
• Primary schools with a higher-than-average proportion of pupils eligible for pupil premium.
• Primary schools that sit in an education investment area (PEIA/EIA).
• Primary schools with a high proportion of groups considered hard to reach eg EAL, FSM, travellers.
• Schools referred by local partners eg NLEs, RSC, LAs.
• Primary schools where standards in phonics are identified as areas for development through OFSTED Inspection findings.
• Primary schools where there is a risk of declining standards in phonics.

How Much Funding Can Be Allocated

• The following outlines the maximum levels of funding that can be offered; however, individualised offers may be discussed and agreed with the English Hub team based upon context and priority criteria;
• Schools not in an EIA may be able to access non-match funded support if 2 or more of the priority criteria are met.