Embracing the Science of Reading: Transforming Literacy Education at Living Waters Lutheran School

In recent years, contemporary Australian schools have increasingly adopted the “Science of Reading” approach, a method grounded in extensive research from cognitive psychology, linguistics, and neuroscience. This evidence-based approach is revolutionising how literacy is taught, ensuring that every child can become a proficient reader and writer. The Science of Reading emphasises explicit, systematic instruction in key areas such as phonemic awareness, phonics, fluency, vocabulary, and comprehension.

One of the standout examples of this approach in action is the transformation seen at Living Waters Lutheran School.  By incorporating structured literacy practices, the school has significantly improved their students’ reading and writing outcomes. Teachers are now equipped with the latest scientific insights into how children’s brains best absorb new information, allowing them to tailor their instruction to meet the needs of all learners. The school uses a bespoke literacy program that focuses on stages of learning, not the age of the child, and a mixture of small group literacy lessons with groups of between 3 and 12, where children receive targeted support for 6 hours per week and literacy teaching is integrated into all areas of the curriculum.

The results speak for themselves, with Living Waters’ number of students reading ‘at level’ increasing significantly over the past 6 months.