Literacy

The latest news, analysis and best practice advice when it comes to literacy, from recent research and how to implement it to new guidance and what it means

Thursday

5th Oct 2023

Poorer pupils need more reading catch-up support
The disadvantage gap is still wider than before the pandemic despite the recovery of some learning lost during Covid, NFER research shows
NFER report calls for more reading support

Friday

29th Sep 2023

Many in Labour think British Baccalaureate is a ‘terrific idea’
Former spin doctor Alastair Campbell says many think Rishi Sunak’s plan has merit, despite Bridget Phillipson branding it an ‘undeliverable gimmick’
Alastair campbell and labour back british baccalaureate

Monday

18th Sep 2023

Why every classroom needs a speech and language therapist
A pilot project placing speech and language therapists in early years settings in Jersey has had impressive results, says Megan Dixon
Speech and language therapists

Wednesday

26th Jul 2023

How to get pupils reading for pleasure? Widen their choice
Reading should never be viewed as a punishment and teachers should be wary of prioritising ‘highbrow’ books, says teacher of English Alan Gillespie
Tower of books

Monday

10th Jul 2023

Could positive peer pressure get pupils reading?
Research shows a dip in the amount of reading children do outside of school as they move into Year 7, but Megan Dixon suggests a way to tackle this
Could positive peer pressure get pupils reading?

Saturday

8th Jul 2023

How reading to pensioners can boost students’ social skills
Reading over the phone to older people in the community as part of a free paired reading scheme is helping children to build confidence and develop a love of books, finds Clare Cook
How reading to pensioners can boost students’ social skills

Thursday

6th Jul 2023

4 ways to support early writing through play
With careful planning and resourcing to build writing opportunities into play, early years teachers can help take the fear out of learning to write, says Angela Cogan
4 ways to support early writing through play

Friday

30th Jun 2023

Why we need to look beyond reading for pleasure
When developing whole-school reading strategies, it might be better to think in terms of reading for ‘empowerment’ rather than just for ‘pleasure’, says Beth Morrish  
Books

Thursday

22nd Jun 2023

Teenage reading: 5 things schools need to know
Secondary students are struggling with reading, and schools are finding it hard to support them, say Jessie Ricketts and Laura Shapiro, who have published new research on how to help
Book

Monday

5th Jun 2023

How ‘faster read’ lessons can boost reading
When assistant headteacher Sonja Nunneley wanted to raise reading standards at her school, she turned to research for inspiration
reading for pleasure main

Wednesday

31st May 2023

Why England’s Pirls results aren’t all that they seem
England’s climb up the international rankings for reading has been seen as a success story for phonics – but the results aren’t as straightforward as they seem, says Christian Bokhove
Why England’s PIRLs results aren’t all that they seem

Wednesday

24th May 2023

How New Zealand has (almost) learned to love phonics
Four years ago, the New Zealand government set out to transform the way reading was taught in its schools. Holly Korbey reports on what happened next
New Zealand phonics