As a literacy consultant, I've worked with many programmes, tools, and approaches. But when it comes to supporting every student to succeed, especially in structured literacy, I can confidently say that Code-Ed's resources are the best I've seen.

They are evidence-proven, and I've seen first-hand how they engage every student, from new entrants to Year 8. That kind of impact is rare — and worth celebrating.

High Engagement, Rich Oral Language, Real Results

Let's take The Code Is The Key as an example. What stands out immediately is the rich visual content that encourages students to talk, think, and make connections. The illustrations are packed with sounds, allowing for explicit teaching while sparking meaningful conversations.

Students aren't just passive participants — they're actively scanning, spotting, saying, and sharing. The oral language that emerges is powerful and inclusive. And it lays the foundation for deeper learning.

Teaching the /k/ Sound Across Year Levels

As part of my consultancy work at NLA Consulting, I recently modelled lessons across a full school, from new entrants all the way up to Year 8, using only Catch Up Your Code and The Code Is The Key.

One activity that truly stood out was a lesson with a Year 7/8 class on the /k/ sound. After a Catch Up Your Code session, we transitioned into a Sound Hunt activity using a card filled with images representing the /k/ sound.

The task? Students had to write a 100-word piece using as many /k/ words as possible. It had to be a meaningful piece of writing comprising simple, compound, or complex sentences.

What happened next was incredible.

From Reluctant Writers to 100-Word Champions

Students jumped into the challenge. Those who were typically reluctant writers partnered with peers to brainstorm and contribute orally. But as they gained confidence and interest, they quickly wanted to write their own 100-word challenge.

The classroom teacher was blown away. The quality of the writing, the motivation to complete the challenge, and the collaboration among students were unlike anything she'd seen in a long time.

Even days later, students connected what they learned in that lesson to other unprompted curriculum areas. They remembered the /k/ sound lesson. They were using it. That's what lasting learning looks like.

Why Code-Ed Works

Here's what makes Code-Ed's resources stand out:

Final Thoughts

The most powerful thing I can share is this:

When students don't want to stop learning, you know you've found something special.

That's what I've experienced using The Code Is The Key and Catch Up Your Code from Code-Ed. Whether new to structured literacy or looking for tools to deepen your current practice, these resources deserve a place in your programme.

Want to see how they can work in your classroom?

Start with a single sound. Watch what happens. You will witness something remarkable.