The Literacy Lounge

The Literacy Company

The Literacy Lounge is an educational podcast made for primary school teachers, focussing on delivering high quality, friendly English advice. Brought to you by expert and passionate literacy consultants with a wealth of experience, both inside and outside the classroom. Join us as we share first hand tips, advice and practical solutions that will support your experience of teaching English. Whether you are battling with full moon behaviour or weather related distractions, we have been there and are ready to share our tales!

  1. 2 hr ago

    How do we develop early writing skills

    In this episode, we explore how pupils develop early writing skills and what teachers can do to build strong foundations from the very start. With the writing framework and the curriculum and assessment review in mind, we begin in the early years, looking closely at the essential pre‑writing skills children need before they ever pick up a pencil with purpose. From there, we move into Year 1 and Year 2 to consider how these foundations grow into confident sentence construction. Louise joins us with her wealth of EYFS knowledge and her experience weaving foundational skills through our updated writing units. Things we chat about in this episode: The growing concern that pupils are being rushed into writing before they are ready, and what those essential pre‑writing skills actually are What the next steps look like once pupils are ready to begin sentence development, from early Year 1 into Year 2 Where pupils typically get stuck and why What teachers can do to support pupils who need more time or targeted guidance What we ideally want pupils to be able to do before they move into KS2 We wrap up with thanks to Louise and a look ahead to Part 2, where Lynne will guide us through the next stages of sentence development. Summary and top takeaway: Thank you for joining us. We hope this episode helps you feel clearer about the building blocks of early writing and how to support pupils as they move from mark making to meaningful sentences. So, grab a cuppa, settle in and enjoy The Literacy Lounge. Any questions or podcast topic suggestions please email us: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠online@theliteracycompany.co.uk⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Links: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Pathways Literacy⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Support enquiry form⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ The opinions shared by our presenters and guests are their own and do not necessarily represent the views, policies or positions of The Literacy Company.

    25 min

  2. 15 May

    How to make secure end of year judgements at Y6

    In this episode, we continue our two part series on making secure end of year judgements. After focusing on EYFS in Part 1, we now turn our attention to Year 6 and what teachers should be looking for as pupils reach the end of their primary journey. It is now the summer term and thoughts are shifting towards final judgements and whether pupils are working at the expected standard. For Year 6 teachers who are part of the moderation process, these decisions often come earlier than in other year groups, which means evidence gathering can feel particularly pressing. Allison joins us to help unpick what secure judgements look like, how to approach evidence, and what strong progress should look like at this point in the year. Things we chat about in this episode: Following on from progress made in the spring term, what development should we expect to see in the summer How to approach making a judgement about a piece of writing Where the difficulties often lie and which elements teachers find hardest to evidence or judge How we can support pupils to meet the expected standard The key differences between the standards What to consider when pupils are working at PKS So, grab a cuppa, settle in and enjoy The Literacy Lounge. Any questions or podcast topic suggestions please email us: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠online@theliteracycompany.co.uk⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Links: ⁠⁠⁠⁠Pathways Literacy⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Support enquiry form⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ The opinions shared by our presenters and guests are their own and do not necessarily represent the views, policies or positions of The Literacy Company.

    25 min

  3. 15 May

    How to make secure end of year judgements in EYFS

    In this episode, we begin a two part series exploring how teachers can make secure end of year judgements. We start in EYFS, where the process looks and feels very different from the rest of the school. It is now the summer term and soon teachers will be asked to make final decisions about whether pupils have met the expected standard. EYFS brings its own unique challenges, from the nature of evidence to the pace of development, so we sit down with Louise to unpick what secure judgements look like and how to approach them with confidence. Things we chat about in this episode: Following on from progress made in the spring term, what development we should expect to see in the summer What best practice looks like when making EYFS judgements How Year 1 should be involved in the process Where the difficulties often lie and why certain elements are harder to judge How we can ensure pupils achieve a Good Level of Development (GLD) and what GLD actually means Whether summer born children are more likely to struggle with GLD and the reasons behind this Thank you for joining us. We hope this episode helps you feel clearer, more confident and ready to approach your EYFS judgements with a secure understanding of what matters most. So, grab a cuppa, settle in and enjoy The Literacy Lounge. Any questions or podcast topic suggestions please email us: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠online@theliteracycompany.co.uk⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Links: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Pathways Literacy⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Support enquiry form⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ The opinions shared by our presenters and guests are their own and do not necessarily represent the views, policies or positions of The Literacy Company.

    19 min

  4. 7 May

    How do we prepare pupils for the Phonics Screening Check?

    In this episode, we take a deep dive into the Phonics Screening Check and what teachers can be doing right now to prepare pupils for success. Whether you are listening on your commute or winding down with a hot drink after school, we hope you find this conversation both useful and reassuring. The PSC has been part of school life since 2012 and many of us remember that first year vividly. For those who are newer to it, or for anyone who would like a refresher, we walk through the essentials and share practical advice for supporting pupils in the run up to the check. Louise joins us with her EYFS expertise to help unpack what strong phonics development looks like at this point in the year and how Year 1 builds on the foundations laid in Reception. Things we chat about in this episode: What the Phonics Screening Check actually is Who should be taking the check What adaptations can be made What the pass mark might look like this year What phonics development should look like in Spring 2 How Year 1 builds on the work done in Reception How to support pupils who are struggling to blend Whether passing the PSC means a child is a reader We hope this episode leaves you feeling clearer, more confident and ready to support your pupils in the weeks ahead. So, grab a cuppa, settle in and enjoy The Literacy Lounge. Any questions or podcast topic suggestions please email us: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠online@theliteracycompany.co.uk⁠⁠⁠⁠ Links: Phonics blog Phonics support video for your class ⁠⁠⁠Pathways Literacy⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠Support enquiry form⁠⁠⁠⁠ The opinions shared by our presenters and guests are their own and do not necessarily represent the views, policies or positions of The Literacy Company.

    23 min

  5. 22 Apr

    Active Learning in English with Jon Smedley (Teach Active)

    In this episode, we’re joined by Jon Smedley, founder of Teach Active, to explore the power of active learning and how movement can transform engagement across the curriculum. From his early days in the classroom to creating Teach Active, Jon shares the journey that shaped his mission to get pupils up, moving and learning with purpose. We dig into the principles behind Teach Active, the impact of physical activity on English and maths outcomes and what the recent Curriculum and Assessment Review might mean for schools. Expect practical ideas and plenty of inspiration for bringing more movement into your lessons. Things we chat about in this episode: Jon’s career in teaching and how it led to the creation of Teach Active The key principles behind active learning and why movement matters How Teach Active supports English as well as maths Our thoughts on the Curriculum and Assessment Review - what we like, what we don’t and what it means for sport, maths and English Practical tips for teachers who want to get pupils moving more Jon’s favourite children’s book from his own school days Any questions or podcast topic suggestions? Email us at online@theliteracycompany.co.uk Links: Pathways to Write Teach Active The opinions shared by our presenters and guests are their own and do not necessarily represent the views, policies, or positions of The Literacy Company.

    29 min

  6. 8 Apr

    Director Spotlight – How a Passion for Books Inspired The Literacy Company

    This episode takes a small step away from our usual format as we turn the spotlight onto one of our directors, Cath Richardson. If you are new to the podcast, Cath and Linda founded the company in 2013 and have led it through more than a decade of growth, challenge and change. From navigating the post‑Covid landscape to winning the ERA Award for Company of the Year, their journey has shaped everything we do today. Cath shares her thoughts on this journey as well as what brought her to this point in the first place – all helped along by sharing some of the books which have had a lasting impact on her. *Podcast now moving to fortnightly* Things we chat about in this episode: What inspired Cath to become a teacher?Highlights/stories from Cath's teaching career Moving from teaching to consultancyWhat types of things Cath did for the LA and how did it shaped her ideas and practicesWhere did the idea to set up the company come from?What was it like in the early days?How has the company changed over the years?What we think the future of teaching English holds for usGoing after your dreams!Current favourite readsThe Pathways Literacy journey and favourite Pathways books Any questions or podcast topic suggestions please email us: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠online@theliteracycompany.co.uk⁠⁠⁠ Links: ⁠⁠Pathways Literacy⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠Support enquiry form⁠⁠⁠ The opinions shared by our presenters and guests are their own and do not necessarily represent the views, policies or positions of The Literacy Company.

    33 min

  7. 25 Mar

    Reading for Pleasure or Purpose?

    In this episode, we are going to focus on the hot topic of reading for pleasure. There’s been a lot in the press recently which we will pick up on and we are in the middle of the National Year of Reading which is encouraging us to ‘Go All In’. As pledge partners to this initiative we though we would share some of our thoughts and tips. Things we chat about in this episode: The recent articles about Reading for Pleasure and what are our thoughtsWhat we think the issue is with getting kids readingIs it too late to get this generation reading?How we can model reading for pleasure and support the Go All In initiative?How we would approach getting pupils interested in readingWhat does/doesn’t work How we see reading and the reasons we read (Hint: it isn't always pleasure!)Any questions or podcast topic suggestions please email us: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠online@theliteracycompany.co.uk⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Links: ⁠Pledge Partners - Go All In Article - Why schools should stop pushing reading for pleasure ⁠⁠⁠⁠Pathways Literacy⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Support enquiry form⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

    22 min

  8. 18 Mar

    The importance of spoken language and performance in the classroom

    On this episode, I have a new guest in the form of Jo who is going to be sharing with us her passion for spoken language and performance. Things we chat about in this episode: Thoughts on the curriculum review and aspects linked to spoken languageWhy do you believe it is so important for pupils?What we think has been the impact of spoken language being squeezed out in the current curriculumThe types of things we used to do with our classesOur popular Story house poetry projectWhat we need to do to get it right for pupilsSo, grab a cuppa, settle in and enjoy the Literacy Lounge! Any questions or podcast topic suggestions please email us: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠online@theliteracycompany.co.uk⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Links: CLPE Poetry Apply for the next Poetry Project Joseph Coehlo Poetry Prompts ⁠⁠⁠⁠Pathways Literacy⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠Support enquiry form⁠⁠⁠⁠ The opinions shared by our presenters and guests are their own and do not necessarily represent the views, policies, or positions of The Literacy Company.

    29 min
See All (14)

About

The Literacy Lounge is an educational podcast made for primary school teachers, focussing on delivering high quality, friendly English advice. Brought to you by expert and passionate literacy consultants with a wealth of experience, both inside and outside the classroom. Join us as we share first hand tips, advice and practical solutions that will support your experience of teaching English. Whether you are battling with full moon behaviour or weather related distractions, we have been there and are ready to share our tales!

Information

  • Creator
    The Literacy Company
  • Years Active
    2k
  • Episodes
    14
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © The Literacy Company
  • Show Website
    The Literacy Lounge

You Might Also Like