Chichester headteacher delighted as school ranks among highest in country

Jessie Younghusband children with their Year 1 teacher Mrs Neville. Image: Jessie Younghusband School

A Chichester headteacher has shared his delight after his school ranked among the highest in the country for its Year 1 phonics achievements.

Luke Hanna received a letter of congratulations from Minister of Schools Damian Hinds after 96 per cent of the youngsters at Jessie Younghusband School met the expected standards, placing them in the top 4 per cent.

The children’s achievement was recorded during the 2023 Phonics Screener Check.

In his letter, Mr Hinds said: “Your particular success in teaching phonics and early reading so effectively means your pupils are developing a firm foundation from which they can become increasingly fluent and develop a lifelong love of reading.”

Mr Hanna described the children’s achievement as ‘remarkable’, adding that it was a testament to the hard work and dedication of staff, pupils, and parents.

He added: “The success of our pupils in the Phonics Screener Check is a reflection of the unwavering commitment of our entire school community towards promoting literacy and fostering a love for reading.

“The exceptional results attained by our pupils would not have been possible without the efforts of our dedicated staff, particularly the Early Years and Key Stage 1 team.

“Their expertise, passion, and innovative teaching approaches have played a pivotal role in nurturing our pupils’ phonics skills and laying a strong foundation for their future reading abilities.”

Mr Hanna said the support and engagement of parents had been ‘instrumental in creating a positive learning environment’.

He added: “We extend our heartfelt appreciation to our parents for their continuous partnership and active involvement in their children’s education.

“Together, we have created a strong foundation for our students’ literacy skills, ensuring they have the tools to thrive academically and personally.

“At Jessie Younghusband Primary School, we are committed to providing an exceptional education that prepares our learners for success.

“This outstanding achievement in the Phonics Screener Check is a testament to our collective efforts and dedication to excellence.”