Despite decades of research, some schools still rely on outdated reading strategies—like encouraging children to guess words from pictures. This method, while well-intentioned, can hinder proper reading development. This recent article featured on ITV news highlights the troubling consequences of such practices. What Actually Works? The gold standard remains:Systematic Synthetic Phonics. Systematic -following a logical,…

A recent article in the Times (James Marriott) speculates on this dire situation. Imagine! No books!No magazines! No newspaper articles! The evidence is clear, reports James: ‘those who don’t read, or who outsource their essays to AI, lose the facility for complex thought.’ I agree.  I have always maintained that reading is linked to thinking….

“Parents ‘terrified’ by move to cut special-needs help” – read the recent Times headline. So, is the Government right to remove statutory education plans (EHCPs) from children in mainstream schools? A thorny question! Apparently, this issue is up for consideration. If the current Children and Families Act is amended, what might this mean for the…

When I first blogged about the reading complexity of solving mathematical problems, I did not imagine that I would return to this topic: but my latest tutoring session has lifted this issue to the surface. Why? Because if reading comprehension remains the crucial key to solving mathematical problems, and therefore passing exams; then the reading…

Language – as written words! When we open the reading box – what lies inside? At my tutoring session with a 19 year old student I have known for many years, the focus was – language. This young man has Moderate Learning Difficulties (MLD), and although his use of English is good, he needs help…