Structured Literacy at Our School

At our school, we use a Structured Literacy approach to support children in learning to read and write with confidence.

Structured Literacy is a clear, step-by-step way of teaching literacy. Children are taught how language works — including sounds, letters, words, sentences, and texts — in a planned and supportive way. Skills are introduced gradually and revisited often, so learning is secure and long-lasting.

What this means for your child

• Literacy skills are taught clearly and directly, not left to guessing

• Learning builds from simple to more complex skills

• Children receive regular practice and feedback

• Teaching supports all learners, including those who may need extra help

Reading Support – iDeaL

For reading, we use the iDeal learning matters program, a Ministry-approved structured literacy programme used in many New Zealand schools. iDeaL teaches children the foundations of reading through:

• • Explicit teaching of sounds and letters

• • Decodable texts that match what children are learning

• • Regular review to strengthen confidence and fluency

• This approach helps children build strong decoding skills so they can read accurately and with understanding.

• Writing Support – Writer’s Toolbox

For writing, we use Writer’s Toolbox, a New Zealand-developed programme that supports children to become confident writers. It helps students learn how to:

• • Write clear sentences and organised paragraphs

• • Plan, revise, and improve their writing

• • Receive feedback that supports progress

Writer’s Toolbox works alongside classroom teaching to give teachers helpful information about each child’s progress and next learning steps.

Why Structured Literacy matters

Research shows that children learn best when reading and writing are taught in a structured, consistent, and explicit way. This approach helps build strong foundations in literacy and gives children the confidence they need to succeed at school and beyond.

If you have any questions about our literacy programmes, we encourage you to talk with your child’s teacher.