About the Primary Literacy Guide 2025
Our Primary Literacy Research and Policy Guide aims to inform and support busy teachers and leaders of literacy to bridge the gap between evidence and practice. It does this by collating and summarising key points from recent research and policy developments across all areas of the English curriculum. Our aim is to make research easily accessible to facilitate teachers and leaders in making informed, professional decisions about literacy development in their schools.
Thoroughly rewritten for 2025, the guidance concentrates on the most recent research related to literacy to help shape and develop sustainable literacy strategies.
Literacy School Review tools
To supplement the guidance, each guidance document is accompanied by a set of school review self-audit posters allowing you to assess your existing provision. By exploring statements of good practice, you and your team can use these tools to identify your strengths, as well as any areas that would benefit from a renewed focus, revised approaches, or relevant CPD training.
Literacy focus areas in the Primary Literacy Guide and Review
Reading
Available to download now
- Reading for Pleasure
- Word Reading
- Reading Fluency
- Comprehension
Writing
Coming soon
- Writing for Pleasure
- Writing Composition
- Writing Transcription
Oracy
Coming soon
- Oracy - spoken language, listening
Annual Literacy Toolkit
The Literacy Research and Policy Guide and Literacy Review tools sit alongside our Annual Literacy Survey to support evaluation, reflection and ongoing strategic development of whole-school literacy. The toolkit can be built into your annual school-improvement cycle to provide a gateway to good practice that is informed by evidence, in line with policy and inspired by practical ideas.
Literacy Guides for Early Years and Secondary schools
In addition to the primary insights here, you may also be interested in our Literacy Guides for other education phases: