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

Wednesday

5th Feb 2025

DfE to set out ‘common approach’ to teaching writing
Half of a £2m DfE funding pot is set aside for secondaries to buy resources for struggling readers
Lots of ink pens
The case for a universal SEND screener in early primary
SEND provision is in crisis. A critical step towards a better system would be a universal screening process for all five- and six-year-olds, delivered and managed by teachers, argue these researchers
Children in classroom

Thursday

30th Jan 2025

School readiness: ‘alarming’ gap in parent-teacher attitudes
Only three-quarters of parents say children should be toilet trained before joining Reception, poll finds
Less than half of parents thinking children starting Reception need to know how to use books

Thursday

16th Jan 2025

Why making reading easier may be a bad choice
There are myriad ways to simplify reading, from AI summaries to shortened sentences, but we may be making life hard for pupils in the long run, writes Alex Quigley
Figures on an open book

Thursday

2nd Jan 2025

What works to get children reading for pleasure
Fewer children in England report that they enjoy reading, but what can be done to reverse the trend? Zofia Niemtus speaks to researcher Teresa Cremin to find out
How to get more children reading for pleasure

Thursday

21st Nov 2024

Three things the best school leaders do to improve literacy
The widespread issues with reading among young people are well understood, but how can senior leaders go about turning the tide? We visited schools that have successfully raised standards
Pupil opening book illustration

Thursday

14th Nov 2024

The data is clear: we have a reading crisis among young people
Three new reports into reading are canaries in the coalmine, writes Megan Dixon, and we need to listen to their warnings
Canary in coal mine

Tuesday

5th Nov 2024

Pupils’ reading enjoyment at lowest level in almost 20 years
Children’s reading is at ‘crisis’ point, the National Literacy Trust warns, after a significant fall in the number of young people who report enjoying reading
Pupils enjoying reading at lowest level in almost 20 years

Tuesday

8th Oct 2024

How to help your pupils love reading in an age of tech
We’re all guilty of getting distracted by technology, writes primary head Richard Slade, so a sharp focus on developing a passion for reading is necessary
How to help students love reading in the era of tech

Monday

7th Oct 2024

Reading: concern over rise in Year 5 ‘low attainers’
Major study into impact of lockdowns also finds the disadvantage gap has not narrowed among Year 5 pupils in reading or maths
Low attainment

Tuesday

24th Sep 2024

Days left to complete ‘crucial’ languages survey for Scottish schools
Responses will give overview of modern languages teaching in Scotland amid deep concerns over their place in school timetables
languages survey for Scottish schools

Thursday

19th Sep 2024

School literacy experts are disappearing, yet we need them more than ever
Unpicking the pandemic’s effects on literacy in primary will be a long slog, not a walk in the park, writes Megan Dixon, but do we have the right people for the mission?
Sculpture of letters