The Literacy Link: changing the system together
“Trust the process. It’s better to slow down to speed up.”
Last week we hosted a retreat for the Literacy Link Steering Group, a group of FEA members who are leading our literacy thematic collaboration. The Literacy Link brings together a network of 60 literacy organisations working to improve children’s reading outcomes.
Over two days, we created space to think deeply about how we take a systems change approach to a shared challenge: ensuring all children develop age-appropriate reading abilities. The current reality we’re facing is stark - one in three children from low-income households do not meet expected reading standards by the end of primary school.
Why retreat?
Most of us are used to working in a linear, delivery-focused way. Under pressure to deliver, it can be difficult to carve out time to reflect on whether our approach is truly effective. This challenge isn’t just individual – it exists at a system level too.
Retreats create the conditions for deeper thinking, allowing systems change to move from theory into action. In many ways, they are for systems what the book Deep Work by Cal Newport highlights is needed for the individual: intentional space to step back, reorient and focus.
By stepping away from day-to-day demands – literally putting down our devices – we made time to think collectively, challenge assumptions and plan with purpose.
What did we do?
Day one: We explored systems change theory, rigorously interrogating the systems that shape children’s reading outcomes. We questioned our assumptions, surfaced different perspectives and challenged each other to share fearlessly.
Day two: After giving our brains time to rest, we translated our deep collective thinking into action – developing the Literacy Link’s Systems Change Theory of Change and agreeing clear next steps.
Crucially, we also created a space to build trust. Strong relationships sit at the heart of effective systems change – because meaningful progress requires people to take risks together.
We’ll be sharing the outputs from the retreat at the Literacy Link Annual Gathering on Monday 27 April. Invites have already been sent to Literacy Link members.
If you’re a children’s reading organisation and would like to be part of this work, we’d love you to join the Literacy Link. Find out more and sign up here.
