The Literacy Company review by Lara Brown

Date: 29.04.2022

Review subject: English

Phase: Primary

Reviewer: Lara Brown, Head of year

Urban Academy 683 pupils (oversubscribed) in Warrington
FSM: 37.9%

Review rating:

Average rating across all The Literacy Company reviews: 4/5

How well does it match the curriculum?

Brilliantly: There is more content (eg support / extension activities) than we expected

Before covid we attended many training sessions with the Literacy Company and got many of our English units of work which we still use today with some adaptations. The texts they use are brilliant.

How well does it support your school’s inclusion/diversity/equal opportunities policy?

Brilliantly: The content stands out as being particularly positive in this regard and would be welcome in any school like mine

Great content - sometimes too much

How well does it support differentiation for the full range of the classes you use it with?

Well: A large majority of resources are suitably differentiated for pupils

We have had to lower expectations since covid so not all higher extensions are applicable

How well does it engage and motivate pupils?

Brilliantly: Pupils love using and are excited when they know they are going to do so

We love our 'When the giant stirred' unit

How well supported is it by accompanying formative assessments?

Badly: There isn’t any / enough formative assessment or what there is, isn’t very useful

I don't remember any assessment opportunities

How well does it support planning?

Brilliantly: It has everything you could need and is straightforward to use with classes

Lots to work with

How well does it support home use / independent learning?

Badly: It’s not really suitable for home use or independent learning

Mainly for school

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