Intensive Support

Following an audit, eligible schools may be invited to join Whiteknights English Hub as a Partner School, giving access to a sustained programme of school-to-school support led by one of our expert Literacy Specialists. Partner schools typically receive up to twelve fully funded support days over two years, designed to build secure foundations in phonics, early reading, and language development.

During these support days, the Literacy Specialist works closely with school leaders to strengthen subject knowledge, develop leadership capacity, and embed long-lasting improvements that lead to stronger outcomes and sustained progress. Each visit contributes to a living action plan that is refined and updated throughout the partnership.

What a Support Typically Includes

  • Joint learning walks to celebrate strengths and identify areas for development

  • Co-creation and review of a tailored action plan with senior and curriculum leaders

  • Training and coaching for Reading/Phonics Leads to build confidence in driving change

  • Targeted professional development for teaching staff to strengthen SSP implementation

Benefits of Partner School Status

  • Bespoke support tailored to your school’s priorities and context

  • Free leadership support sessions for Reading Leaders through the SSP

  • Access to discounts from selected SSP providers

  • Ongoing expertise that helps secure improvements in classroom practice, pupil outcomes, and whole-school systems

Eligibility Criteria

Schools typically meet at least two of the following indicators to be considered for intensive support:

  • Phonics outcomes for disadvantaged pupils below the national average

  • Lower-than-average results in the Phonics Screening Check

  • A higher proportion of pupils eligible for the Pupil Premium (2024/25 benchmark: 24.8%)

  • Significant numbers of pupils from groups that are harder to reach (e.g., EAL, FSM, traveller communities)

  • Referral or recommendation from local partners (e.g., RISE, NLEs, Local Authorities)

  • Ofsted identifying phonics or early reading as an area requiring improvement

  • Evidence that phonics outcomes are at risk of decline

If your school meets two or more of these criteria and would like to explore becoming a Partner School, please complete the form below.

Primary School Self Referral Form
Our Literacy Specialist has also been brilliant in supporting me with manageable targets to improve our provision and how to manage the Year 1 team. Thank you!
Thank you for all your help and support with Phonics and the time you have given to finding things on the Twinkl site. I know how time consuming that can be. It has been an exciting journey for us as a school and we are now in a great position!
Sarah has been absolutely amazing with her support with teaching and reading this term. Thank you for all of your support so far.