This year, Junior School classrooms have placed a renewed focus on delivering high-quality Tier 1 literacy and numeracy instruction, the explicit, evidence-based teaching that every student receives as part of their daily classroom learning.

You may have heard the term "Tier 1" before. It simply refers to the core, whole-class teaching that forms the foundation of our literacy and numeracy programs. Getting this right matters! When Tier 1 instruction is strong, more students grasp new concepts the first time they are taught, building confidence and reducing the need for additional support later on.

So why the renewed focus? Education research over the past decade has given us much clearer insight into how children learn to read, write and develop number sense most effectively. Practices such as explicit teaching, structured and sequenced lessons, and regular checks for understanding consistently show the strongest outcomes for students, including those who find learning more challenging and those who are ready to be extended. We have also placed a strong emphasis on Daily Reviews, short, purposeful practice sessions at the start of lessons that draw on the science of spaced retrieval, helping students revisit and strengthen what they have already learned so that knowledge is genuinely retained over time.

Equally important is ensuring that all children have full and equitable access to high-quality literature, rich vocabulary and meaningful language experiences. Research is clear that environments where students are regularly exposed to complex texts, read-alouds and carefully chosen words build the foundation not only for strong literacy skills but for learning across every area of the curriculum.

This reflects our College Mission: to provide a high-quality education where every individual is valued, and where we unlock the potential of each child as a confident, capable learner. 

"By grounding our teaching in what research tells us works best, we are ensuring every student, regardless of their starting point, has the strongest possible opportunity to thrive. "

It also connects to our Vision of being a community of learners who strive for excellence together. Strong Tier 1 teaching is not about a single program or resource; it is a whole-school commitment to consistency, high expectations and best practice in every classroom, every day.

You will notice this focus reflected in classroom routines, the structure of literacy and numeracy lessons, and the language teachers use around learning goals. We are excited about the impact this is already having and look forward to sharing more as the year progresses.

Mrs Rachel Watt
Head of Junior School