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

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...

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).

How to gift wrap a book… my cartoon for this week’s @theguardian.com books.

Love this (from the Literary Review):

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...

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

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!

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.