Beyond Labels: The Right to Literacy for All
In our Literacy Without Limits training, we’ve been exploring the idea of presuming competence — the belief that every learner deserves to be seen as capable. But after reflecting together in Session 2, we realised that the term presuming potential may capture our message even more clearly.
Presuming potential is about recognising that every learner can grow, given the right teaching, access, and time. It’s not blind optimism — it’s a practical, evidence-based commitment to providing opportunity before we expect proof.
This idea is powerfully illustrated in the words of Jonathan Bryan, who wrote the featured essay below at just sixteen. Jonathan’s story reminds us that literacy belongs to every learner — and that when we presume potential, we create the conditions for it to be realised.
Transformational Tales - The Power of Literacy
At Teach Us Too, we believe literacy is a right, not a privilege. For non-speaking learners, that right is often overlooked. Too many are underestimated, misunderstood, or given only the most basic “functional” education. Yet when they are given the chance to learn to read and write, the results can be transformational.
That belief lies at the heart of our Transformational Tales research project. This ongoing work gathers and shares the lived experiences of non-speaking learners and their families, exploring how access to literacy can unlock voice, agency, and opportunity. These stories highlight not only individual journeys, but also the systemic barriers that need to change if every learner is to be taught literacy.
As part of this project, we are proud to highlight Matthew – a young man whose journey demonstrates the power of literacy to unlock voice, identity, and independence.
Providing Opportunities for ALL Learners to Access Writing Through Technology
A guest blog post written by Literacy & Communication Lead, Megan Brown about the second session of the CALL Scotland Course, ‘Technology to Support Reading & Writing for Learners with Complex Needs’, and using technology to ensure that ALL learners can access writing.
Creative Ideas to Enable all Learners to be Part of a Writing Journey
A guest blog post written by English lead and teacher Louise Denford, reflecting on the second week of the CALL Scotland Course, ‘Technology to Support Reading & Writing for Learners with Complex Needs’, and the importance of finding ways for ALL children to take part in writing.
If it’s not broken, don’t fix it!
A guest blog post written by Headteacher Nicola Lavery, reflecting on the first week of the CALL Scotland Course, ‘Technology to Support Reading & Writing for Learners with Complex Needs’, and how there’s a lot to said for seeing things simple.
Sometimes it’s the simple things… You don’t know what you don’t know!
A guest blog post written by Rebecca Smith sharing her thoughts on the CALL Scotland Course, ‘Technology to Support Reading & Writing for Learners with Complex Needs’, Week 1 Accessing Reading and Writing: Tools & Strategies
Sharing Amy’s Story: An Update
We are delighted to share an update on Amy’s literacy journey. Please do read and share this widely as another example of the importance of high expectations for all!
Q&A with Dr. Sharon Arnold
We are delighted to introduce you to Dr. Sharon Arnold, author of ‘Exploring Word Recognition and Listening Comprehension Abilities of Children with Autism who are Non-verbal'. Get to know more about her educational philosophy, research and work in our new Q&A.
The Three C’s:
The more people we meet on our journey as a charity, the more apparent it becomes that there is a wealth of good work being done by so many people; towards a common goal of improved literacy instruction for those who fit outside that of the typically developing learner.
Looking Back…Thinking Forward
As the Summer term and, with it, the academic year draw to a close, we take some time to look back on what has been a pivotal year for the charity and also begin to turn our thoughts to what is on the horizon next year.
Stronger Together
It’s not every morning that you are invited to a meeting with the infamous Pie Corbett, to discuss perspectives on literacy teaching for students with SEND & complex learning needs.
Reflecting on our Pandemic Silver Lining
With this weekend marking the 2 year anniversary of the WHO announcement declaring Covid 19 a global pandemic, it has prompted me to reflect on the way in which the pandemic has affected our charity.
Amy’s Literacy Journey
After only 8 weeks of home-schooling Amy read her first book ‘My dog Ned’ on her own.
Every child deserves an education no matter what their perceived obstacle to learning is and it is the job of the educationalists to unlock that potential
There is so much more left of this journey as I strongly believe that it is Amy’s dream to be able to eventually spell out the words that she chooses to say and hopefully one day she will have that voice.