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

10th Jun 2026

How to create a better reader (hint: hard texts matter)
The curriculum review has sparked debate about which texts we should make space for in our classrooms, but how far does text choice really matter for improving reading? Tes speaks to US literacy researcher Timothy Shanahan to find out
Little girl opening giant book

Tuesday

2nd Jun 2026

The myth about Ofsted, the DfE and early writing
A myth has taken root in early years that children should avoid writing until they can form letters and spell correctly – but encouraging early writing and mark making can help with literacy, says Julian Grenier
Two small children writing

Thursday

28th May 2026

Why students’ writing often feels flat, and how to fix it
Pupils’ writing lacks personality when they are too focused on sentence structures and checklists, writes head of English Emma Snow. Here, she sets out how to address this problem
mountain of paper

Saturday

16th May 2026

Frank Cottrell-Boyce on reading and schools accelerating screen use
The outgoing children’s laureate talks about the reasons for the decline in reading for pleasure, screens stealing children’s time and the government’s plan for a new reading test
Frank Cottrell-Boyce in front of bookshelf and children's laureate sign

Thursday

14th May 2026

Why haven’t we closed the reading gap yet?
Despite national gains in reading, pupils from disadvantaged backgrounds still make less progress than their peers, says Alex Quigley. So, what can be done to help?
Figure looking through gap in book

Thursday

30th Apr 2026

How to bridge the gap between primary and secondary reading
There is more freely accessible support than ever to help secondary schools boost students’ literacy, yet some of this may be passing school leaders by, writes Jessie Ricketts
Bridge made of books

Friday

17th Apr 2026

Key stage 3 alliance announces regional co-chairs
The regional co-chairs will lead schools and trusts to share good practice on what works in early secondary school
Sharing ideas illustration

Tuesday

7th Apr 2026

How we moved beyond reading for pleasure at secondary
Trust improvement lead Zoe Enser outlines practical ways to embed strong reading habits across a school, without adding a value judgement like ‘pleasure’
Whole school reading

Tuesday

24th Mar 2026

The subtitles myth: why children don’t learn to read from TV
The popular assumption that watching TV with subtitles will help children to become better readers doesn’t hold true, write two reading researchers

Wednesday

11th Mar 2026

Why schools should stop pushing reading for pleasure
Reading for pleasure has become central to school literacy strategies, but there are increasing calls to ditch it, with research suggesting it has done little to turn pupils into avid readers
Coke vs water

Thursday

26th Feb 2026

Why oracy must become a priority in Scottish schools
Scotland should look to the experience in England, where the teaching of oracy has been ‘reframed’, say teachers Holly Drummond and Kirsten Fenton
Why oracy must become a priority in Scottish schools

Wednesday

25th Feb 2026

Do banded books make for poorer readers?
Schemes that match books to primary pupils’ skill level could be holding children back and making them less engaged in their reading, writes Alex Quigley
Kids reading books