As I stand in front of a Year 6 class, I can’t help but notice Sarah struggling to read aloud. Her frustration is palpable, and it’s a scene that’s all too familiar in schools across the UK. We’re facing a literacy crisis, and the numbers are stark:
One in four (25%) 11-year-olds in England leave primary school unable to read well (DfE, 2019).
In 2022, 25% of pupils in England did not meet the expected standard in reading at the end of Key Stage 2 (DfE, 2022).
These aren’t just cold statistics. They represent real children – like the ones in our schools today – who are at risk of being left behind, their potential locked away behind the barrier of poor literacy.
The COVID-19 pandemic has only exacerbated this issue, widening the achievement gap and disproportionately affecting our most vulnerable learners. It’s a sobering reality, but one we must confront head-on.
So, what can we do? Let’s explore some evidence-based strategies that can make a real difference.
The Power of Phonics
The Education Endowment Foundation (EEF) has consistently highlighted the effectiveness of systematic phonics instruction. Their research shows it can boost a child’s progress by an average of four months over a year. That’s significant, especially for our struggling readers.
But implementing a phonics programme isn’t just about ticking a box. In my experience, and I am sure you’ll agree with me, here’s what we already know works:
1. Consistency is crucial: Ensure your phonics approach is uniform across all early years and Key Stage 1 classrooms.
2. Invest in your team: Provide regular, high-quality training. Your teachers are the frontline in this literacy battle.
3. Monitor and intervene: Keep a close eye on progress and be ready to offer additional support where needed.
Harnessing Technology: A Powerful Ally
In my time as a deputy head, I saw firsthand how technology could enhance our literacy efforts. We used iPad and Showbie – our digital platform to teach, practice, record and assess phonics in Reception, Year 1 and Year 2. The result? More confident staff, children and parents along with an increase in Year 1 phonics screening check pass rates within a year.
I’ve always advocated that technology should complement – not replace – skilled teaching. Here are some tools to consider, if you are not using technology already.
1. E-Books: I love using eBooks, shared in Showbie and downloaded on to children’s iPads to leverage the creativity and ease of accessibility.
2. Digital tools: Using both the built-in tools on the iPads and the features available on Showbie, we were able to utilise video and audio recordings to support modelled teaching and reading practice for the children.
3. Digital platforms: The majority of schools have now used some type of digital learning platform. They can and should be powerful tools used for every aspect of teaching phonics, particularly because adaptive teaching is made easy. We found that using Showbie allowed us to easily and quickly differentiate resources and tailor instructions for various levels of learners.
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A Story of Transformation
There is so much I could share with you about how I’ve seen technology enhance the provision of opportunities for children to develop their phonics and reading skills in a number of primary schools – but I’d like to share a personal story.
During my time as deputy head, we used iPads and Showbie we were able to easily share all the resources we used for teaching both with children and parents. We were able to quickly make and share tutorial videos of how we taught each grapheme and phoneme with the parents so they could understand more about how and what their children were learning.
Using voice notes, we were also able to demonstrate how to articulate each sound or how to segment and blend words directly onto the examples of words the children were using. The really powerful moment was when children effortlessly recorded themselves reading at different points throughout the year by independently using the voice notes or video function in Showbie.
Being able to evidence the entire learning journey of phonics and reading was definitely transformational – and it showed in our results.
What can be done today?
Improving literacy is a journey, not a destination. It requires ongoing commitment, but the rewards are immeasurable. Here’s some food for thought that could prove to be helpful:
Literacy Provision
How do you feel about your current literacy provision? It can be beneficial to assess whether your approach is consistent, evidence-based, and engaging for pupils. We often think it is, but sometimes there are small gaps that can be turned into quick wins.
Exploring Tech
Technology offers many possibilities in enhancing literacy programmes. This is my go-to for making a difference. I love talking about how technology, combined with research-based practice, completely transformed the teaching and learning in my school and in other schools I’ve worked with or supported. Reach out to us here at Showbie, or schools in your area that are using technology to support literacy and seeing success.
Learn From Others
If you’re interested in diving deeper into this topic, we’re hosting an upcoming webinar, Unlocking Reading Potential: How Tech-Savvy Heads are Harnessing Opportunities and Empowering Communities. This session will explore current literacy trends, discuss evidence-based strategies, and showcase how technology can support literacy instruction and assessment.
Remember, every child who learns to read is a future unlocked. Together, we can ensure that every child leaves primary school as a confident, capable reader, ready to write their own success story and achieve their unique potential.
Let’s turn the page on literacy struggles in our schools – be sure to register for our Unlocking Reading Potential: How Tech-Savvy Heads are Harnessing Opportunities and Empowering Communities webinar to learn more about how you can begin your school’s literacy transformation journey!
