As an English Hub, we are working closely with local authorities, the Regional Schools Commissioners, Educational Investment Areas, Priority Educational Investment Areas, National Leaders of Education and Multi-Academy Trusts to identify schools that would most benefit from support, with a focus on schools with high numbers of disadvantaged children.
As the English Hub Programme grows, we offer different levels of support for school. The support will allow schools to find out the most up to date information on the three aims of the hub and an opportunity to evaluate their own school practice.
Eligibility Criteria
The following state-funded schools can access English Hub support and funding:
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Infant schools
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Primary schools
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Junior schools
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Special schools with primary-aged pupils
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Pupil Referral Units with primary-aged pupils
To become a Partner School, schools must have a KS1 cohort completing the Phonics Screening Check (PSC).
In 2025/26, schools who meet at least two of the DfE’s criteria will be prioritised:
- Lower than national average percentage of pupils meeting the expected standard in the Phonics Screening Check (PSC) in their most recent results.
- The bottom 20% of children are not on course to reach expected standards.
- A lower than average percentage of children are meeting the expected standard in PSC (2024/25- 80% met expected)
- A higher than average proportion of children eligible for pupil premium (2024/25- 24.8% average).
- Previously a partner school two or more years ago & have experienced significant systemic change and who have failed to realise and/or maintain improvement on SSP scores.
- A high proportion of groups considered hard to reach, such as EAL, FSM, travellers, etc.
- Referred by local partners such as RISE, NLEs, LAs or Regional Schools Commissioners.
- Standards in phonics are identified as an area for development through Ofsted inspection findings.
- There is a risk of declining standards in phonics
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Secondary schools – please see our Secondary Support page for more information