Phonics is fair to all

SIR – I noted with interest the research from the London School of Economics into the use of synthetic phonics in schools (report, April 25).

Phonics is a highly effective method of helping children who are behind with reading to catch up. However, I strongly believe that this teaching method should be employed for all children, not just those “at risk of struggling”. It is great if all children end up at the same stage by the age of 11 – but waiting until disadvantaged children have been identified might put that at risk.

Furthermore, phonics should continue to be taught beyond the age of 11. When children begin secondary school it is expected that they are able to read, when in fact all they have done so far is master the primary curriculum. I worry that they are often underprepared to deal with unfamiliar, academic language independently.

Advanced phonics equips children with the skills to decode these words and gain a proper understanding of language. Katy Parkinson Founder, Sound Training Middlesbrough, North Yorkshire