02 March 2012

In 2011 the UK's Department for Education launched a programme to support the use of systematic synthetic phonics as a way of teaching reading to children in the approximately 16,000 primary schools in England with Key Stage 1 pupils. The programme offers each of these schools up to 3,000 GBP in 'match funding' to assist in the purchase of suitable systematic synthetic phonics products and associated specialist training and support services. To support the programme, DfE engaged the Eastern Shires Purchasing Organisation (acting as a member of and on behalf of the Pro5 group of UK professional buying organisations) to establish framework agreements covering the supply of suitable systematic synthetic phonics products and training to all eligible establishments in England. Products and training that were successful in being selected for these frameworks were assessed by DfE for compliance with their systematic synthetic phonics criteria, and included in a catalogue which was produced specifically in respect of the phonics initiative. This was completed in 2011. Suppliers now have a second opportunity to have new training providers and courses added to the DfE approved list of courses that schools may purchase using their match funding. An online listing of these additional lines will be produced as a supplement to the current catalogue at the earliest opportunity following the award of both this (959TADD) and a supplement to 959P Systematic Synthetic Phonics Resources (959PADD) which is currently out to tender. A full colour printed catalogue which integrates the successful products and training with the original items on framework 959P and training from 959T will be in schools at the beginning of the autumn term 2012. This tender exercise is being carried out under Part 'B' of the services element of the Public Contract Regulations.