The reading revolution is working

Two pieces of good news on reading in schools today. First, Ofsted reports that phonics has become more embedded in primary schools than was thought: there is still a challenge in one in five schools, but the report suggests that the revolution started by the Rose review is having a real impact. Second, the government's Every Child A Reader catch-up programme is helping those who need extra help to learn to read. Both measures mean that the progress made in the early years of testing and the literacy strategy is now being renewed after a hiatus. The important thing is to make sure that phonics is taught first and fast, and the success of the recovery programme doesn't detract from that goal with the vast majority who can and should learn to read earlier. Moreover, it also shows a Labour government continuing to deliver where it matters, whatever the polls say.