To teach it or not to teach!

I was reading a Telegraph article about ten  Local Authorities who it would appear have refused to back phonics teaching. http://www.telegraph.co.uk/education/educationnews/9025860/Warning-as-schools-shun-traditional-reading-methods.html?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=twitter

I have to confess I was originally quite cynical about phonics when Letters and Sounds first came out. I had always taught phonics but never as systematically as the programme dictated. My view was, if it was that easy, why weren't we all doing it long ago? Now I simply ask, why aren't we all doing it?

 I have now seen at first hand the incredible difference good phonics teaching is making to children's lives. It really is transforming teaching and learning in places where it is being delivered well. So I do seriously have to question why certain Local Authorities are so opposed to it.  It works, it is free (if you use Letters and Sounds) and it raises standards. There is nothing there anyone could object to. I do agree phonics alone or in isolation is not sufficient; it is a tool to teach reading and writing, but such a good one you'd be crazy not to try it.

As teachers we all want what is best for our pupils and also something that is easy and effective- here it is, on a plate. Why isn't everyone using it?