Helen will look at how the influence of the National Reading Panel has shaped reading instruction worldwide and asks whether a narrow interpretation of evidence based practice has limited progress. While phonics, vocabulary, and comprehension strategies matter, many students still struggle. The session explores two powerful but overlooked levers for improvement: the teaching of handwriting as a driver of reading and writing success, and knowledge‑building as the most effective route to stronger language comprehension. It also challenges the role of invented spelling and introduces the idea of supported spelling. A fresh look at what we prioritise in literacy could open the door to better outcomes for all learners.