If you started school in the 1960’s you may remember the Initial Teaching Alphabet or ITA. It was a system devised by Sir James Pitman which was supposed to help young children learn to read more quickly. But some critics argue it left many children unable to read or write properly.
Martha will look at the legacy of ITA and what lessons can be learnt for the way children are taught to read in schools today with the author, Kitty Aldridge, whose experiences with ITA left her unable to read at age eight and Sue Lloyd who taught ITA and is the co-author of the Jolly Phonics scheme which is being used in schools today.
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