It's the Rising Stars Reading Conference 2019 next week and I've got a speaking slot. My talk is only 45 minutes long so I'm getting some extra information down in video and blog clips in preparation that people can find out more afterwards if they want to. I'm going to tell people about 'Ten Things That Successful Phonics Schools Do'. It's probably the main thing I talk about at the moment in one form or another.

'Schools are hungry to know the best ways of teaching phonics and there are lots of myths out there.'

'Schools that are already successful with phonics are auditing themselves to see if practice could be even better.' 

I'd like to use the conference deadline to corner me into producing some long awaited Teacher Training Phonics Self-Study books too but, as ever, I'm completely swapped with a whole batch of work for different clients so we shall see. 

Here's an overview of the things on my 'Ten Things That Successful Phonics Schools Do' list: 

1. They have a literacy leader/champion
2. They engage in Continued Professional Development 
3. They have absolute clarity over lesson content 
4. They embrace routine 
5. They apply maths to phonics 
6. They doggedly pursue links with home
7. They assess, track and monitor 
8. They see F2/YR as the golden year of opportunity 
9. They aren't misled by myths
10. They are consistent 

Click on any item on the list to find out more about what I'm saying. 

Birmingham, Thursday 7th November 2019
Central London, Thursday 14th November 2019 
Trainer: Abigail Steel
Price: £199 + VAT (Bring a colleague for £50 + VAT! Register for two or more places and pay £50 + VAT for the extra places)
Course hosted by Rising Stars 



​Why Join?
How do you turn even the most reluctant pupil into a confident and engaged reader? During this one-day course, reading expert Abigail Steel will explain how, providing you with the skills and understanding to improve your whole school reading provision for lower attainers in Key Stage One and Two. 

• Upskill your subject knowledge to better understand the technical and psychological processes behind learning to read and becoming a reader
• Take away a comprehensive toolkit full of practical resources for auditing, planning, teaching and tracking reading provision for reluctant readers
• Discover practical strategies to embed a real life-long love for reading for all 

Following positive feedback from last year's events, Steve Lomax and I are running these Feedback from KS2 SATs Masterclasses again (hosted by Rising Stars). Steve will cover the Maths papers and I'll be covering the English papers. 

Details:
Birmingham, Tuesday 5th November 2019
London, Tuesday 12th November 2019 
£199 (Bring a colleague for £50 + VAT! Register for two or more places and pay just £50 + VAT for the extra places)

Why attend?
Understand the performance outcomes of the 2019 National Tests and what strategies can be adopted in the classroom to identify and support pupils working below the expected standard. 

• Hear tips for remediation of problem areas and how to re-focus in years 4 - 6 
• Gain top tips and guidance on planning and improving skills in 2019 - 20 

Join me at this FREE event in London hosted by Rising Stars! I'll be talking about what a successful phonics school looks like. Here are the details...

When: Wednesday 19th June 2019 
Venue: University of Westminster (Hogg Lecture Theatre), 35 Marylebone Road, London, NW1 5LS
Trainers: Ross Montgomery (keynote), Abie Longstaff (keynote), Abi Steel, Siobhan Skeffington, Dee Reid, Pauline Allen

A FREE primary conference packed with practical and inspiring ideas on how you can raise reading attainment and enjoyment in your school.

Why attend? 
Join top children's authors and literacy experts for Raising Standards Through Reading, and exciting one-day conference that will answer your burning questions:

• How can I encourage all children to be excited about reading and writing? Carnegie Medal nominated author and former teacher Ross Montgomery will tell you how!
• How can I help children overcome 'blank page syndrome'? Best-selling picture book author Abie Longstaff will discuss the tools you need to inspire children to make a story.
• What does a successful phonics school look like? Phonics expert Abigail Steel has top tips for improving phonics teaching and learning. 
• How can I be more creative in the classroom? Discover practical poetry and drama techniques to improve reading and language skills. 
• What's the best way to really crack comprehension? Literacy consultant Dee Reid will provide strategies to help children become text detectives. 
• How do I encourage children to become active and enthusiastic readers? Explore how to use 'think-aloud' to hook young readers, build their confidence and develop essential skills.