The Literacy Hub
@katharinebarden.bsky.social
Dr Katharine Barden, founder of www.theliteracyhub.co.uk and LIfTT, the Literacy Intervention for Teens and Tweens. Literacy intervention specialist. Developing practical, evidence-based resources for adolescents who struggle with reading and spelling.
Reposted by The Literacy Hub
Wales' schools watchdog has announced today it will have a three year "enhanced focus on reading" from September 2026.
Read more here:
estyn.gov.wales/reading-for-...
Read more here:
estyn.gov.wales/reading-for-...
Reading: For learners, for Wales. - Estyn
From September 2026, we will have a three-year enhanced focus on reading. We know that too many learners are not fluent, advanced readers by the time they leave school or further education and want t...
estyn.gov.wales
November 21, 2025 at 12:40 PM
Wales' schools watchdog has announced today it will have a three year "enhanced focus on reading" from September 2026.
Read more here:
estyn.gov.wales/reading-for-...
Read more here:
estyn.gov.wales/reading-for-...
New blog post. Some thoughts on the best ways to teach older pupils to read long words (and stop guessing them!).
www.theliteracyhub.co.uk/insights/how...
www.theliteracyhub.co.uk/insights/how...
How to teach adolescents to read long words — The Literacy Hub
Adolescents who struggle to read long words need to be taught explicit strategies to divide words into chunks, but what is the best way to do this?
www.theliteracyhub.co.uk
November 15, 2025 at 5:32 PM
New blog post. Some thoughts on the best ways to teach older pupils to read long words (and stop guessing them!).
www.theliteracyhub.co.uk/insights/how...
www.theliteracyhub.co.uk/insights/how...
New blog post. Some thoughts on the best ways to teach older pupils to read long words (and stop guessing them!).
www.theliteracyhub.co.uk/insights/how...
www.theliteracyhub.co.uk/insights/how...
How to teach adolescents to read long words — The Literacy Hub
Adolescents who struggle to read long words need to be taught explicit strategies to divide words into chunks, but what is the best way to do this?
www.theliteracyhub.co.uk
November 15, 2025 at 8:36 AM
New blog post. Some thoughts on the best ways to teach older pupils to read long words (and stop guessing them!).
www.theliteracyhub.co.uk/insights/how...
www.theliteracyhub.co.uk/insights/how...
A frank and, in places, eye-opening discussion with Elizabeth Nonweiler about her experiences on the Welsh Government's Expert Literacy Panel.
The latest episode of the Impact Podcast is out now. Episode 211 - "Why I quit". Literacy Expert Panel Member, Elizabeth Nonweiler speaks out about why she has resigned from the Welsh Government panel & what's going wrong.
Listen here: open.spotify.com/show/778EJMB...
Listen here: open.spotify.com/show/778EJMB...
Episode 211: “Why I quit.” Literacy expert speaks out
open.spotify.com
November 6, 2025 at 6:11 AM
A frank and, in places, eye-opening discussion with Elizabeth Nonweiler about her experiences on the Welsh Government's Expert Literacy Panel.
Reposted by The Literacy Hub
Exclusive: A member of the Welsh Government’s expert literacy panel has resigned, warning the new £8.2m national programme to improve reading is “flawed” and “not fit for purpose”.
Full story below
🧵 1/
Full story below
🧵 1/
October 27, 2025 at 9:38 AM
Exclusive: A member of the Welsh Government’s expert literacy panel has resigned, warning the new £8.2m national programme to improve reading is “flawed” and “not fit for purpose”.
Full story below
🧵 1/
Full story below
🧵 1/
Just finished ‘Why Q Needs U’ by @dannybate.bsky.social and it’s so good that I had to update my list of Top Etymology Recommendations for Literacy Teachers to include it!
www.theliteracyhub.co.uk/recommendati...
www.theliteracyhub.co.uk/recommendati...
Top etymology recommendations for teachers of literacy — The Literacy Hub
If you’re a teacher of literacy who’d like to improve your knowledge of etymology, take a look at these resources
www.theliteracyhub.co.uk
October 25, 2025 at 9:38 AM
Just finished ‘Why Q Needs U’ by @dannybate.bsky.social and it’s so good that I had to update my list of Top Etymology Recommendations for Literacy Teachers to include it!
www.theliteracyhub.co.uk/recommendati...
www.theliteracyhub.co.uk/recommendati...
Great news!
With so much focus on phonics, I think we sometimes forget the amount of reading it takes to develop fluency.
Anything that will get publicity for the fantastic books out there for upper primary is a big win!
www.theguardian.com/books/2025/o...
With so much focus on phonics, I think we sometimes forget the amount of reading it takes to develop fluency.
Anything that will get publicity for the fantastic books out there for upper primary is a big win!
www.theguardian.com/books/2025/o...
Booker prize launches £50,000 children’s award
Children will help judge the new prize along with children’s laureate Frank Cottrell-Boyce
www.theguardian.com
October 24, 2025 at 12:49 PM
Great news!
With so much focus on phonics, I think we sometimes forget the amount of reading it takes to develop fluency.
Anything that will get publicity for the fantastic books out there for upper primary is a big win!
www.theguardian.com/books/2025/o...
With so much focus on phonics, I think we sometimes forget the amount of reading it takes to develop fluency.
Anything that will get publicity for the fantastic books out there for upper primary is a big win!
www.theguardian.com/books/2025/o...
Recommended listening for anyone (like me!) who is teaching reading in Wales.
🎙️ On tomorrow’s Impact Podcast, we’ll be discussing the latest announcements from the Welsh Government.
📚 We’ll also be joined by special guest Rob Randel to discuss developments in reading.
🎧 Listen on your podcast platform, or on our website at impact.wales/podcasts
📚 We’ll also be joined by special guest Rob Randel to discuss developments in reading.
🎧 Listen on your podcast platform, or on our website at impact.wales/podcasts
October 22, 2025 at 7:58 PM
Recommended listening for anyone (like me!) who is teaching reading in Wales.
Reposted by The Literacy Hub
Please share!
Free place in
Let your Words Flow
Online workshop
for Sat 18 Oct 10am-12pm (UK time). A regular participant has generously sponsored a place for anyone needing the assistance of a free place. Message me here on Bluesky if interested.
www.writingforwellbeing.co.uk/therapy-and-...
Free place in
Let your Words Flow
Online workshop
for Sat 18 Oct 10am-12pm (UK time). A regular participant has generously sponsored a place for anyone needing the assistance of a free place. Message me here on Bluesky if interested.
www.writingforwellbeing.co.uk/therapy-and-...
October 6, 2025 at 3:30 PM
Please share!
Free place in
Let your Words Flow
Online workshop
for Sat 18 Oct 10am-12pm (UK time). A regular participant has generously sponsored a place for anyone needing the assistance of a free place. Message me here on Bluesky if interested.
www.writingforwellbeing.co.uk/therapy-and-...
Free place in
Let your Words Flow
Online workshop
for Sat 18 Oct 10am-12pm (UK time). A regular participant has generously sponsored a place for anyone needing the assistance of a free place. Message me here on Bluesky if interested.
www.writingforwellbeing.co.uk/therapy-and-...
Reposted by The Literacy Hub
This short paper about the decline in volitional reading is definitely worth ten minutes of your time.
"In an ecosystem which supports volitional reading, young people flourish and encourage each other as readers and learners."
@teresacremin.bsky.social
shorturl.at/PquEf
"In an ecosystem which supports volitional reading, young people flourish and encourage each other as readers and learners."
@teresacremin.bsky.social
shorturl.at/PquEf
July 20, 2025 at 4:19 PM
This short paper about the decline in volitional reading is definitely worth ten minutes of your time.
"In an ecosystem which supports volitional reading, young people flourish and encourage each other as readers and learners."
@teresacremin.bsky.social
shorturl.at/PquEf
"In an ecosystem which supports volitional reading, young people flourish and encourage each other as readers and learners."
@teresacremin.bsky.social
shorturl.at/PquEf
Interesting article suggesting that making "high-low" books more mainstream might help children make the transition to reading longer books. In our school library, we certainly have pupils who are 'stuck' on Dog Man! It's inspired me to try promoting our high-low books more next year...
The drop in reading stamina starts way before college. I’ve an article in @thebookseller.com about this, and how we might slow down that slide.
www.thebookseller.com/comment/pull...
www.thebookseller.com/comment/pull...
July 18, 2025 at 10:07 AM
Interesting article suggesting that making "high-low" books more mainstream might help children make the transition to reading longer books. In our school library, we certainly have pupils who are 'stuck' on Dog Man! It's inspired me to try promoting our high-low books more next year...
Reposted by The Literacy Hub
It's half term, which means I have a copy of Primary Reading Simplified to give away.
Simply *repost* this post for your chance to win.
I will choose a winner at random this Saturday (22nd February).
Simply *repost* this post for your chance to win.
I will choose a winner at random this Saturday (22nd February).
February 17, 2025 at 2:15 PM
It's half term, which means I have a copy of Primary Reading Simplified to give away.
Simply *repost* this post for your chance to win.
I will choose a winner at random this Saturday (22nd February).
Simply *repost* this post for your chance to win.
I will choose a winner at random this Saturday (22nd February).
Reposted by The Literacy Hub
How to gift wrap a book… my cartoon for this week’s @theguardian.com books.
December 21, 2024 at 11:13 AM
How to gift wrap a book… my cartoon for this week’s @theguardian.com books.
Reposted by The Literacy Hub
Love this (from the Literary Review):
December 7, 2024 at 1:11 PM
Love this (from the Literary Review):
Reposted by The Literacy Hub
The Welsh Government has published details of its Literacy Expert Panel.
This panel has been tasked with reviewing the development of steps being taken to improve literacy in Wales.
Updated guidance is expected to be given to schools in the New Year.
www.gov.wales/literacy-exp...
This panel has been tasked with reviewing the development of steps being taken to improve literacy in Wales.
Updated guidance is expected to be given to schools in the New Year.
www.gov.wales/literacy-exp...
Literacy Expert Panel [HTML] | GOV.WALES
The panel will review and inform the work to improve literacy standards in Wales.
www.gov.wales
December 4, 2024 at 12:26 PM
The Welsh Government has published details of its Literacy Expert Panel.
This panel has been tasked with reviewing the development of steps being taken to improve literacy in Wales.
Updated guidance is expected to be given to schools in the New Year.
www.gov.wales/literacy-exp...
This panel has been tasked with reviewing the development of steps being taken to improve literacy in Wales.
Updated guidance is expected to be given to schools in the New Year.
www.gov.wales/literacy-exp...
Reposted by The Literacy Hub
Thread on need to fight for evidence-based policy - a response to Trump's cabinet picks.
Based on new @bmj.com article by me, @martinmckee.bsky.social & @kentbuse.bsky.social
TLDR: Now is the time to stand up for science, not appease those in power attacking it
www.bmj.com/content/387/... 1/14
Based on new @bmj.com article by me, @martinmckee.bsky.social & @kentbuse.bsky.social
TLDR: Now is the time to stand up for science, not appease those in power attacking it
www.bmj.com/content/387/... 1/14
November 28, 2024 at 11:58 PM
Thread on need to fight for evidence-based policy - a response to Trump's cabinet picks.
Based on new @bmj.com article by me, @martinmckee.bsky.social & @kentbuse.bsky.social
TLDR: Now is the time to stand up for science, not appease those in power attacking it
www.bmj.com/content/387/... 1/14
Based on new @bmj.com article by me, @martinmckee.bsky.social & @kentbuse.bsky.social
TLDR: Now is the time to stand up for science, not appease those in power attacking it
www.bmj.com/content/387/... 1/14
Inspired by @mmelockhart.bsky.social #SOR #PodcastPairing here are three of my recommended podcast pairings from the last month...
If you can't explain English spelling through phonics, morphology or orthography, etymology probably has the answer!
If you can't explain English spelling through phonics, morphology or orthography, etymology probably has the answer!
November 30, 2024 at 9:35 AM
Inspired by @mmelockhart.bsky.social #SOR #PodcastPairing here are three of my recommended podcast pairings from the last month...
If you can't explain English spelling through phonics, morphology or orthography, etymology probably has the answer!
If you can't explain English spelling through phonics, morphology or orthography, etymology probably has the answer!
Catching up on a few literacy podcasts this week... Highly recommend @suchmo83.bsky.social on Progressively Incorrect with @mrzachg.bsky.social - clear and very practical, especially on teaching reading fluency.
November 16, 2024 at 3:41 PM
Catching up on a few literacy podcasts this week... Highly recommend @suchmo83.bsky.social on Progressively Incorrect with @mrzachg.bsky.social - clear and very practical, especially on teaching reading fluency.
First post on Bluesky! Quick intro. I'm a former researcher in Linguistics/Psychology at Cambridge and Bristol, now developing and delivering evidence-based reading/spelling interventions at a Welsh secondary school. Especially interested in practical implementation of education research.
November 16, 2024 at 2:54 PM
First post on Bluesky! Quick intro. I'm a former researcher in Linguistics/Psychology at Cambridge and Bristol, now developing and delivering evidence-based reading/spelling interventions at a Welsh secondary school. Especially interested in practical implementation of education research.