Catch Up Your Code

Catch Up Your Code is an essential, evidence-based literacy resource designed to address and fill gaps in students' knowledge of the English alphabetic code. Specifically aimed at learners from Year 4 through to Year 8-and extending to high school and adult ELT environments-this targeted teaching tool supports rapid gains in decoding and spelling, foundational for strong reading comprehension and quality writing. The resource includes diagnostic assessment tools to identify gaps in code knowledge and a sequence of short, focused 10-minute lessons that allow educators to efficiently address student needs without disrupting classroom routines. Developed by literacy expert Joy Allcock, who has spent over two decades bridging research and classroom practice, Catch Up Your Code is underpinned by robust research and real-world effectiveness. Allcock's practical understanding, supported by her Master of Education and extensive work with schools and teachers internationally, ensures that the content is both accessible and impactful. Whether used with whole-class groups or in targeted interventions, this resource empowers teachers to deliver meaningful improvements in literacy outcomes by building student confidence and competence in word-level reading and spelling through a systematic, evidence-informed approach.

Educational Benefits

• Builds essential phonics knowledge for improved decoding and spelling.
• Supports reading comprehension by filling critical gaps in code understanding.
• Offers a structured, research-based framework for targeted literacy intervention.
• Encourages independence and confidence in reading and writing tasks.

Classroom Ideas

• Use the diagnostic assessments at the start of term to identify individual learning needs.
• Integrate 10-minute lessons as part of your daily literacy rotation or warm-up.
• Support differentiated learning by grouping students based on code knowledge gaps.
• Incorporate lessons into small-group guided reading for focused intervention

Safety & Information

• Suitable for ages 9+ (Years 4-8, secondary students, and adult learners).
• Resource size and format: Includes assessment tools and lesson materials (size may vary depending on printing/binding).
• Designed for teacher-led instruction in classroom or intervention settings.
• No small parts or hazardous materials - safe for classroom use.