About English Hubs
English hubs offer a range of support and continuing professional development (CPD) to primary schools to improve the teaching of early reading, with a particular focus on systematic synthetic phonics, early language and reading for pleasure.
This consists of tailored support from a literacy specialist, CPD and funding to buy phonics and early language resources. Outwood Primary Academy Lofthouse Gate is one of the schools designated and will work as part of the Outwood Institute of Education.
What We Do
From the 2026/27 academic year, the English Hubs Programme operates as a core,all-through literacy improvement programme, maintaining its foundational focus on early reading while extending structured support across additional key stages and areas of literacy. This includes:
continued intensive support for phonics in Reception and Key Stage 1
support for language and literacy in the Reception Year
focus on Key Stage 2 reading fluency, including provision for junior schools
support for secondary schools, building reading as a whole school priority
English Hubs deliver support that is targeted, evidence-informed and responsive to need, working in partnership with schools, Regional Improvement for Standards and Excellence (RISE) teams and wider system partners. Provision is designed to improve the quality of teaching, develop professional expertise and secure sustained improvement in outcomes.
As defined by the DfE, each English Hub will:
“…promote a love of reading and support schools across the country to provide excellent phonics and early language teaching. Literacy specialists within each hub will provide tailored support to schools. This will include running events to showcase excellent practice in teaching reading and working with local schools to develop their practice.”
