ATL comment on the phonics screening check and key stage 1 assessments statistics ATL | Association of Teachers and Lecturers 1 min read24 September 2015 Partner content Dr Mary Bousted, general secretary of the Association of Teachers and Lecturers (ATL), said: Our children, parents and teachers should be commended for securing excellent results in the phonics check this year. Teaching children to read is one of the most important jobs that our education system does, so todays news is heartening. “We must however, remember that synthetic phonics are just one approach that can be used when learning to read, and whilst the ability to decode words is important, so is understanding the meaning of the words and instilling a life-long passion for stories, ideas and knowledge. Literacy underpins every subject studied at school, so we must work together to find ways to close the stubborn achievement gaps in reading to ensure that every child has the chance to fulfil their potential.” Related Childcare Sector Insists Workforce "Has To Grow" To Cope With Free Hours Expansion By Caitlin Doherty 22 Jan Read the most recent article written by ATL - ATL on Government plans to force all schools in England to become academies