The new Access arrangements for the phonics screening check have recently been published which specify EAL and bilingual pupils as a group of learners who may need access arrangements.
In the Access arrangements, those who may need access arrangements include those:' who are learning English as a second language and how have limited knowledge of English'. However it also notes that 'most children who are learning English as a second language will be able to access the phonics screening check'
Access arrangements include rest breaks and rephrasing of the initial introduction.
The research paper on the process of the pilot phonics checks published in September 2011 found that less than half of respondents agreed that the Check accurately assessed the decoding ability of pupils with EAL (46%).
Match-funding for approved synthetic products is available for all school in England with KS1 pupils until March 2013but recent figures released suggest that the take up of these has been 'lukewarm' .The Department has recently publicly named authorities where results in reading at age 11 are below average but where schools have shown limited take up of the offer of matched funding for books and training.
But in other areas, including where there is a higher than average proportion of 11-year-olds failing to reach the expected level in reading, there has so far been a low level of take-up of products. These include Central Bedfordshire, Bedford, Hull, Medway, Portsmouth, Luton and Sheffield. And in 20 local authorities, not a single school has booked training for their staff yet.
In something of a back-handed compliment, it notes that Derby and Coventry have a high level of take up in their areas but that 'reading is well below the national average at Key Stage 2'.
For more information on phonics and bilingual learners see Phonic checks and bilingual pupils
