What We Offer
New for 2026-2027 - Support from EYFS to KS3
Little Sutton English Hub is delighted to confirm that from September 2026, the English Hub programme will be expanding significantly, enabling us to offer support from EYFS through to KS3.
This expansion will mean new opportunities for schools to get involved and each phase will offer in-school reviews, funding (subject to availability and criteria being met), and the potential for schools to receive intensive support. Alongside developing early language, early reading, and promoting a love of reading, we will be focusing on the following key areas:
- EYFS: Early language and literacy support in Reception
- KS1: Phonics support and development
- KS2: Phonics, fluency, and developing strong reading skills
- KS3: Phonics, supporting struggling readers, and creating a whole-school approach to reading
Schools that have accessed support and funding previously may be eligible to re-engage. This will be confirmed on receipt of the expression of interest.
Our Offer in Detail
Facilitating excellent teaching of reading, early language, literacy and reading for pleasure across all phases from EYFS to KS3
We are delighted that you are interested in discovering more about the support that we are offering as an English Hub school. Our aim is to provide high quality insight and advice to enable you to develop your own excellent practice in teaching reading and encouraging a love of reading among your pupils.
The support that we can offer includes:
- Free showcase events focusing on teaching phonics, language, and developing a love of reading.
- Regular information and guidance on phonics, early language development, reading and literacy, fluency, and reading for pleasure.
- Support to schools to create an action plan for improving the teaching of reading and literacy, including phonics, language development, and promoting a love of reading.
- An in-school reading review in eligible schools.
- Funding for training and resources identified as needed during the reading review (subject to eligibility).
- Training delivered by experts to support the aims of the hub.
- Up to six days of intensive support in-school from our hub literacy specialists.
As well as showcases, our English Hub hosts other free events including workshops, webinars, and training to support schools to develop their practice in accordance with the three main priorities of the English Hub Programme, which are to promote:
- the effective teaching of synthetic systematic phonics, early reading, literacy and fluency;
- early language development and oracy; and
- promoting a love of reading.
THE PROGRAMME EXPLAINED
Initial Engagement and Light Touch Support
The first step to engaging with our hub is by completing the online expression of interest form, and attending one of our free showcase events. These are in-school workshops designed to promote and share best practice in relation to the teaching of phonics and early reading, reading for pleasure, and early language.
At one of our inspirational showcase events:
- you will see best practice in phonics and early reading;
- you will receive expert guidance on ways that your school can nurture and develop a love of reading;
- we will draw on key DfE documents that underpin the importance of effective phonics and early reading practice;
- we will clarify the requirements of adopting a validated SSP programme;
- you will learn about the whole English Hub support offer; and
- you will discover whether your school would be eligible for further support and funding.
Any school in our catchment can attend. There are two places available per school, one compulsory for the headteacher, the other recommended for the reading/phonics leader.
Some schools may be eligible to receive a payment towards supply cover. Please contact us for further details.
Medium Level Support
Following attendance at a showcase, the medium level support that the English Hub can offer includes:
- Working collaboratively with schools to develop an action plan for improving teaching of early language and reading.
- Undertaking detailed in-school early reading reviews. These provide an opportunity for the Hub to spend time in a school and work closely with the headteacher and staff to fully understand current practice and identify areas for development.
- Financial support to buy resources and training identified as needed during the early reading review.
- Training delivered by experts to support the aims of the Hub.
- Regular information and guidance on excellent practice in phonics and reading.
Intensive Support
Each year, Hubs select partner schools to receive intensive support. The Hubs have expert practitioner literacy specialists who have received high quality training to deliver this package. The impact of this support is measured through specified key performance indicators. The DfE has developed criteria for priority schools eligible for the most intensive support.
