About this Website

The role of the Synthetic Phonics CPD website is to provide a hub for supporting continuing professional development in the domain of literacy basic skills not only in England but anywhere the English language is taught. The site is hosted by Debbie Hepplewhite who has considerable experience of synthetic phonics practices and of communicating internationally via the internet.

At the root of Debbie’s work is the notion that alphabetic codes embodied in Alphabetic Code Charts is the fundamental starting point for sharing understanding about alphabetic writing systems and for underpinning our phonics training, teaching and learning provision. To this end, Debbie ensures that she provides core information and resources free of charge which, she suggests, is ‘public domain’ entitlement. More recently, Debbie and Abi have been focusing on forming relationships with universities to see if they can help in any way with student-training. Debbie is the author of the online Phonics International programme which provides many free resources and papers via its ‘Free Resources’ page. These may be very useful for student-teachers, teachers, trainers, parents and the learners themselves!

“UCB are delighted to have formed a positive working relationship with Debbie Hepplewhite and Abigail Steel at Phonics International.

Debbie presents UCB with an opportunity for open dialogue and exploration ensuring the next generation of teachers enters the profession equipped to teach phonics, reading and spelling effectively.

At the recent UCB Phonics Conference Debbie contributed as the key note speaker, responding to requests from UCB partnership schools to take their phonics provision further, utilising the Alphabetic Code.

Debbie's and Abi’s contributions have been invaluable in enhancing the PGCE provision at UCB. Introduction of the Phonics International programme represents an exciting and significant improvement in the content of the PGCE English programme.”