Turning the Page on Literacy: A Glimmer of Hope Amidst National Decline

Australia’s education system faces a disturbing trend, with nearly one in three students failing to meet NAPLAN benchmarks. The gap between advantaged and disadvantaged students is widening. However, The Grange P–12 College has emerged as an unlikely beacon of hope.

The school’s transformation began two years ago, when almost a quarter of year 7 students started at a prep-to-grade 2 level. This alarming statistic prompted educators to overhaul their literacy program, introducing dedicated reading lessons and training teachers from various subject areas to deliver the Core Literacy model. The results have been remarkable: over 30% of students recorded high relative growth on reading scores compared to similar schools in 2026.

The Grange’s NAPLAN literacy scores saw an immediate boost across year levels that year. But what’s truly noteworthy is that this improvement did not come at the expense of other subjects. In fact, The Grange boasts one of its best VCE results last year, with a standout example being the dux student, who read 600 books during her time at the school.

According to Clara Tran, Core Literacy Coordinator, treating reading as a standalone subject has been instrumental in driving improvement. “We made reading its own subject with its own teachers and its own curriculum,” she explained. By doing so, The Grange has demonstrated that direct, systematic teaching of reading is essential for students to make progress.

The school’s whole-school approach, led by Principal David Smillie, sees students divided into small groups based on reading ability. This tailored instruction has shown promising results not just at The Grange but also at Braybrook College and Sunshine College. Carol Christensen’s work has been particularly notable in this regard.

However, building a love for reading into daily routines requires sustained effort. Smillie acknowledged that getting children to engage with reading in a world dominated by screens can be a challenge. “Kids are really engaged in reading,” he said, crediting the Core Lit model with promoting that engagement.

As Australia’s education system grapples with its own set of challenges, The Grange’s success story offers a glimmer of hope. By focusing on literacy as a standalone subject and providing dedicated instruction, schools can help bridge the gap between advantaged and disadvantaged students. This approach is not just about improving test scores; it’s about cultivating a love for reading that will benefit students throughout their academic journey.

The next question is what happens when The Grange’s first cohort of students trained in Core Literacy takes to the VCE exams. Will this innovative approach translate into tangible results, or will it remain an isolated success story? As educators and policymakers watch with interest, one thing is clear: The Grange has turned a crucial page on its literacy journey – now it’s time for others to follow suit.

The battle to get children reading in a world of screens is far from over. But schools like The Grange are demonstrating that with the right approach, it’s possible to turn the tide.