Minister for Schools lavishes praise on Hill West Primary’s phonics progress

Pupils and staff at Hill West Primary School are all smiles after being placed in the top five per cent of all primaries in the country for phonics achievements and outcomes.

Ninety-five per cent of pupils in Year 1 at the Four Oaks school met the expected standard in the 2023 Phonics Screening Check and the school was praised in a letter sent by Minister for Schools Damian Hinds MP.

In the letter addressed to Headteacher Dr Beth Clarke, Mr Hinds said: “Your particular success in teaching phonics and early reading so effectively means your pupils are developing a firm foundation, from which they can become increasingly fluent and develop a lifelong love of reading.”

Hill West’s Early Years Lead and Phonics and Early Reading Lead Sophie Roberts said: “I was thrilled to receive the letter in celebration of our fantastic phonics screening results in 2023. I am immensely proud of the outstanding progress our children have made in phonics through the support of the Little Wandle Programme.

“Our team of highly-trained and exceptional teaching staff are dedicated to ensuring all children are confident, fluent readers with a true love of reading.”

Headteacher Dr Beth Clarke said: “At Hill West we are committed to the teaching of early phonics and reading. We know and understand the ability to read unlocks access to all other curriculum areas for children and leads to academic success and a genuine love of reading and learning.”

Hill West is part of the highly respected Arthur Terry Learning Partnership which runs schools across Birmingham, the wider West Midlands and Staffordshire.

Pictures: Phonics is thriving at Hill West Primary School.