If you've looked at your child's school website, you've probably seen the phrase “systematic synthetic phonics” (sometimes shortened to SSP). It's the approach almost every UK school uses to teach reading. The name sounds complicated, but it breaks down into two simple ideas.
From “synthesise,” meaning to blend together. Children blend individual sounds to read a word: c–a–t becomes cat. Nothing to do with anything artificial.
Taught in a planned, structured order. Sounds are introduced step by step, each building on the last, so nothing is left to chance.
Put together: children are taught the sounds that letters make, in a careful order, and learn to blend those sounds to read words — and to break words apart into sounds to spell them.
How it works in practice
A child learns that the letter m makes an “mmm” sound, a makes an “a” sound, and so on. Once they know a few sounds, they blend them: m–a–t, mat. As they learn more sounds — including digraphs like sh and split digraphs like the a–e in cake — they can read more and more words. It's the same skill, applied to gradually more complex spellings.
Why schools use it
Systematic synthetic phonics is used because research found it to be an effective way to teach early reading. The English national curriculum requires schools to teach reading through a systematic phonics approach, which is why you'll find it in virtually every primary school.
What it means for you at home
You don't need to understand the theory to help. The two most useful things are simply: say pure sounds (“sss,” not “suh”), and help your child blend sounds together. Reading together every day does the rest. Matching the method your child's school uses keeps everything consistent and clear for them.
Systematic phonics, made calm
PhonicSpace is designed in line with the Department for Education's core criteria for systematic synthetic phonics — structured the same way schools teach it. Informed by over 40 years of UK primary teaching and SENCO experience.
Join the waitlistCommon questions
Is synthetic phonics the same as the phonics my school teaches?
Almost certainly yes. UK schools are required to teach reading through systematic phonics, though they may use different published schemes with different names. The underlying method is the same.
What's the difference between synthetic and analytic phonics?
Synthetic phonics builds words up from individual sounds (blending). Analytic phonics works the other way, looking at whole words and spotting patterns. UK schools use the synthetic approach.
Does “synthetic” mean artificial?
No — it comes from “synthesise,” meaning to blend sounds together. It has nothing to do with anything artificial.
This guide is for general information. Your child's school is always the best source of advice. PhonicSpace is informed by over 40 years of UK primary teaching and SENCO experience.