Purpose

The Leading phonics improvement webinar series delivers support for outstanding leadership, teaching and learning with a focus on improvement in reading in the early years.

This six-part professional learning is aligned to the NSW English K-10 syllabus and will strengthen leader and teacher capability to drive high-impact explicit teaching practices.

Who should participate?

• Assistant Principals, Curriculum and Instruction
• School leaders of literacy Kindergarten to Year 2
• Teachers Kindergarten to Year 2

We encourage leaders and teachers to participate in sessions together either as a school team or across a principal network.

Mode of delivery

Recording of 6 live sessions delivered across Term 4 2024 and Term 1 2025.

Content

This professional learning will support participants to:

• strengthen understanding of the role of leaders and teachers in targeting phonics improvement
• plan for implementation of exemplary phonics instruction in their context
• conduct an in-depth analysis of their Year 1 Phonics Screening Check data
• enhance understanding of explicit teaching strategies that promote automaticity of foundational literacy skills supporting learning across the curriculum.

Webinar 1 - Phonics focus: Improvement and impact

This leadership session leverages the evidence base for high impact phonics instruction, strengthening capabilities of leaders to drive explicit teaching in phonics. Participants will position themselves as experts in the science of reading and reflecting on the role of leaders in driving phonics improvement.

Webinar 2 - Phonics unveiled: Data for decision-making

Interactive session with an in-depth analysis of Year 1 Phonics Screening Check data, to inform decision making for students entering Year 2 who require support.

Webinars 3 and 4: Phonics showcases with A/Prof Lorraine Hammond AM

A/Prof Lorraine Hammond AM will showcase practical techniques across 2 sessions. The sessions include real classroom illustrations to support immediate implementation in the classroom. Participants will examine common misconceptions and beliefs about phonics instruction, investigate evidence-based approaches, including the role of retrieval practice to support mastery learning that supports early readers and explore high-impact and differentiated explicit teaching of phonics.

Webinar 5 - Phonics success: The art and science of implementation

Explores the vital role of implementation science bridging research and practice through the lens of phonics instruction. Participants engage with a template designed to guide leaders through the process of implementation to achieve the best outcomes for all students.

Webinar 6 - Phonics: Piecing it all together

This exploratory session focuses on how to use universal resources to implement exemplary phonics instruction.

Related resources

In preparation for this professional learning, consider reading:

• Principles of instruction (PDF 192KB)
• Effective reading – Kindergarten to Year 2 guide (staff only)
• Teaching Reading: Why the “Fab Five” should be the “Big Six”
• Literacy lesson advice guides (staff only) aligned with the Big Six
  • Phonological awareness
  • Phonic knowledge
  • Oral language and communication
  • Fluency
  • Vocabulary
  • Reading comprehension
  • Assessment of reading.

Contacts

If you have any questions, contact literacy.numeracy@det.nsw.edu.au