STAFF WRITER
Dozens of public schools across the state are being recognised for leading a turnaround in essential literacy skills and Tabulam Public School is one of them.
As thousands of Year 1 students are about to sit the 2026 phonics screening check this week, more than 60 public schools are being commended for their improvement in phonics results.
About two-thirds of these schools have achieved a 30% point lift in their results since 2022.
Across NSW, targeted phonics instruction in public schools has driven a 9% point improvement in the phonics screening check results. Nearly two-thirds of Year 1 students met the foundational literacy benchmark last year compared with only about half of Year 1 students in 2022.
Together, the phonics and number screening checks provide teachers with an immediate and comprehensive view of every child’s progress.
Students requiring extra support can access intensive, targeted teaching through the small group tuition program. The Small Group Tuition Program has been rolled out to every NSW public school, to deliver targeted literacy and numeracy support for small groups of students.
NSW deputy premier and Minister for Education and Early Learning Prue Car said students’ early years of schooling are critical as they develop the foundational skills to set them up for long-term academic success.
““Alongside this assessment, we’ve introduced targeted support including small group tuition to ensure students have the necessary skills in reading, writing and maths, setting them up for future success,” Ms Car said..
“We are proud to recognise the efforts of schools across the state in evidenced-based phonics instruction, which is leading to improved outcomes for children across NSW.”