At Literacy Counts, we are proud to lead the way in reading and writing. As the leading solution for Multi-Academy Trusts and individual schools, our full suite of resources empowers teachers and raises outcomes for children. Two schools exemplifying the impact of our approach are Welshampton CE Primary and Newtown CE Primary in Shropshire, part of the Newhampton Federation. Both schools work within a mixed-age class structure—an area many schools find challenging to plan and resource effectively. Both schools have embedded all four of our Ready Steady Literacy programmes: Ready Steady Write, Ready Steady Spell, Ready Steady Read Together and Ready Steady Phonics.

Under the leadership of Executive Headteacher B. Crompton and Federation Deputy Headteacher C. Liley, the schools have developed a unified, high-impact approach to literacy teaching across EYFS and Key Stage 1. Karen Pickles and Freya Moody from Team Literacy Counts recently spent a delightful afternoon with the schools, discussing all things Ready Steady Literacy with a particular focus on Ready Steady Phonics.

Whole-class phonics lesson in progress with primary pupils reading together using a structured scheme

Cohesive Curriculum, Clear Progress

The schools have developed a consistent, structured approach to phonics teaching using Ready Steady Phonics. Leaders describe it as having had a tangible, positive impact:

"I would wholeheartedly say that Ready Steady Write has had an impact on our children at both of our schools. Over the 2-year cycle that we have been using it, we can clearly see that the children now in Year 2 have benefited from solid, consistent phonics teaching provided by Ready Steady Phonics."

When Ofsted visited, leaders felt quietly confident that any child selected would be able to demonstrate progress in reading thanks to the scheme’s consistency and quality. Their whole-school implementation has created coherence across both sites—an achievement that Ofsted specifically highlighted in their report. This consistency has not only strengthened pupil outcomes but also brought a shared sense of purpose and clarity to staff working across the federation.

"The curriculum is now well thought out and ambitious. It considers the mixed-age classes that many pupils are in. The school has put the needs of pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) at the centre of the curriculum. It ensures that the curriculum has a foundation in the early years. As a result, the curriculum now builds logically over time." – Ofsted Report, 14 January 2025

Empowering ECTs and Support Staff

The schools benefit from having a number of Early Career Teachers, and the structured, easy-to-follow lesson planning from Ready Steady Phonics has been a game-changer for them.

"It has been such a helpful tool. ECTs can focus on delivery and trust that the planning will support strong outcomes. That uncertainty in the autumn term—wondering if children will meet the standard—can be worrying, but by having a consistent scheme to follow and doing that religiously, to then see the rewards... it gives them confidence in other subjects too."

Teaching assistants and support staff also find the structure of Ready Steady Phonics highly accessible and confidence-building.

Powerful Features That Make a Difference

Among the most valued features of the programme are the matched decodable books, the Ready Steady Go intervention sessions and the engaging, consistent lesson slides.

"One of the best things is Ready Steady Go—it means that those children who do not quite grasp it can have that additional support. The decodable books have been brilliant. They match so well and it is much easier, especially for ECTs, who are not as confident with reading schemes."

Reading journals and access to physical books at home have led to greater parent engagement, particularly when paired with phonics meetings that clearly explain the structure and rationale of the programme.

"The school ensures that staff are well trained to deliver its chosen phonics programme effectively. They provide pupils with books that are well suited to their knowledge of sounds. Pupils who struggle with reading receive swift support to help them keep up with their learning. As a result of this consistency, current Reception and Year 1 pupils are doing well in phonics and older pupils who need to are catching up quickly. Staff read to pupils daily. Those pupils who do not read regularly at home receive extra attention in school. As a result, pupils develop a love of reading." – Ofsted Report, 14 January 2025

Pupils learning phonics together using Ready Steady Phonics in a mixed-age whole-class setting

High-Quality Training, Whole-School Consistency

Staff across both schools—from Nursery to Year 6—have been trained in Ready Steady Phonics. Leaders have found this crucial in ensuring consistency and confidence. Modelled lessons have not only clarified delivery but reaffirmed that staff are teaching effectively.

"The best training has been when a Literacy Counts consultant has modelled a lesson—it makes it so much easier."

Impact Beyond Phonics

The schools have also noticed how strong foundations in phonics and reading, built through Ready Steady Phonics, have positively influenced other areas of literacy—particularly spelling.

"Spelling has definitely improved, and it was an area of concern. With a really competent start in phonics, reading and GPCs, it is really helping."

"Our Year 6 moderator was really impressed with the quality of writing and vocabulary choices. That is definitely a result of these schemes."

With Ready Steady Spell embedded alongside Phonics and Write, the schools are seeing how each part of the literacy curriculum is interconnected, reinforcing skills across reading, spelling and composition.

Mixed-Age Mastery and Inclusive Practice

With mixed-age classes, the schools have used the whole-class teaching structure of Ready Steady Literacy to their advantage. Year 1 pupils take part in phonics while Year 2 pupils use Ready Steady Spell. Later in the day, targeted children receive additional support through Ready Steady Go.

"It is so well pitched that you can take all learners with you and avoid the need for multiple small groups."

Parental Engagement and Home Reading

While some families benefit from QR codes linked to digital texts, both schools have found that physical decodable books are more effective in encouraging home reading.

"Children enjoy the lessons and go home talking about them. Parents are increasingly on board because they can clearly see the structure and value of the scheme."

Literacy Counts supports schools in ordering physical copies of our impact-proven decodable texts, helping to maximise engagement and reading opportunities at home.

Systematic phonics scheme supporting whole-class teaching for early reading development

Testimonial

“I wholeheartedly recommend Ready Steady Phonics for its clear and systematic approach that paves the way for our young children to become skilled readers and writers. The vibrant, decodable books beautifully align with the scheme, empowering our children to read at home with their families and strengthen their phonological knowledge. As a result, our children are blossoming into fluent and confident readers.”
-C. Liley, Federation Deputy Headteacher

Pupil Voice

Pupils spoke enthusiastically about their phonics lessons, saying they look forward to them each day. When asked about their favourite parts, they highlighted reading words with sound buttons, reading sentences aloud and using the sound cards to spell out sounds. They also expressed how much they enjoy the decodable books, particularly because they can share what they have learnt with their families at home. One pupil added, “The books are fun and I really like looking at the pictures too,” while another commented, “I really like the books but not if they have a spider in!” When asked what they would like more of, the children were eager for extra writing opportunities, with one pupil wishing for more than four spelling boxes and another asking for more sound buttons and sentence-writing tasks.

Literacy Counts - We lead on Reading & Writing

The success of Welshampton and Newtown CE Primary Schools highlights the transformative impact of a cohesive literacy curriculum built on high-quality resources, expert training and structured progression. If your school is looking to strengthen outcomes in reading, writing, phonics and spelling—especially within mixed-age or early years settings—our Ready Steady Literacy programmes can help.

Get in touch today for bespoke costings, free sample access and details of our regular live webinars with expert consultants.

Let us support you in delivering consistency, confidence and high-quality literacy teaching across your school.