Enhancing Reading Experiences in Key Stage 2

We’ve partnered with Wandle Learning Trust to offer free training for schools on improving reading in Key Stage 2. This course aims to transform reading habits in classrooms across the UK, using the Reading Framework and the latest research. 

Each session covers a different topic, with guest speakers such as CEOs, headteachers, and reading leaders. The information presented includes real-world case studies from primary schools. 

The second session in January 2025 explored how KS2 reading curriculums and lesson approaches can promote reading for pleasure. Three primary schools and the Wandle Learning Trust shared their strategies. Below is a summary of each approach, along with session recordings and tips on which schools might find them useful. 

Hackbridge Primary School

Headteacher Emma and Assistant Headteacher Kerry share how the school is transforming reading for KS2 students by focusing on literacy schemes and digital tools to create an inclusive and engaging environment. 

Hackbridge’s literacy journey began in 2019 with the ​“The Write Stuff’ approach after attending a Reading Rocks event. Book talk encourages engaged discussions, with teachers providing live feedback. 

Access to a wider range of authors, illustrators, and poets helps to better reflect the diverse experiences of their students. The CLPE book lists played a key role in choosing inclusive texts. You can learn more about CLPE’s Reflecting Realities research here. 

After attending the BETT EdTech conference through LEO Academy Trust, Emma and Kerry were inspired to use digital tools to enhance learning. They invested in TextHelp, a toolbar on Chromebooks that reads text aloud and translates it, and Thinglink, a portal that consolidates resources like word maps and videos. These tools have freed teachers” time and empowered students to work more independently. 

Useful for schools who: 

• Are exploring different reading frameworks and schemes 
• Want to curate diverse books that reflect real-world experiences 
• Are interested in using digital tools to support learning 

Newby Primary School

Gareth is the Headteacher at Newby Primary School in Bradford, Yorkshire. The school has long focused on phonics and early reading; however, they realised that while many children could decode words, they struggled to comprehend what they read. This led them to review their teaching methods, drawing on research from Christopher Such’s The Art and Science of Teaching Primary Reading and evidence from the EEF. 

In KS2, the school now runs a daily 45-minute whole-class reading session, separate from English lessons, covering fluency (automaticity, accuracy and prosody), reciprocal reading (in mixed-ability pairs), and comprehension (through drama, discussion and creative reading of fiction, non-fiction and poetry linked to themes). 

The school ensures books are suitably challenging by selecting texts around 18 months ahead of the children’s age, to push their abilities and improve progress. Text choices are reviewed every year, with feedback from both staff and students to make sure they remain appropriate. 

Useful for schools who:  

• Want to improve fluency and comprehension in reading 
• Focus on phonics and decoding but aim to strengthen understanding 
• Want to try reciprocal reading 

Paxton Academy

Paxton Academy in Croydon serves a diverse community, with over 30 languages spoken. Reading is now a highlight of the school day. 

In KS2, pupils have a daily 30-minute whole-class reading session. Monday to Thursday focuses on a shared fiction, non-fiction or poetry text – always read in full. Fridays are for reading for pleasure, with book chats and home reading scrapbooks. All pupils take part, with extra support like pre-reading or paired reading when needed. The approach helps pupils read aloud, grow vocabulary and share ideas. 

Fluency and expression are built through echo and choral reading. Lessons follow a clear structure using a reading ​‘bookmark’ of key skills: prior knowledge, prediction, reading, clarifying, questioning and summarising. 

Working with Oracy Cambridge, Paxton uses dialogic teaching to promote learning through talk. Removing written work has led to deeper thinking and more engagement. 

Useful for schools who: 

• Want to build a strong reading culture 
• Seek to improve fluency, expression, and understanding 
• Want to incorporate talk to deepen learning 

Wandle Learning Partnership

In this video, Vicky, CPD and School Improvement Lead at the Wandle Learning Partnership, discusses the Department for Education’s 2023 Reading Framework, which aims to make children fluent, independent readers by the end of KS2. The focus is not just on decoding words or passing SATs, but on developing lifelong reading skills. 

Reading lessons should promote discussion and help children develop a deep understanding of the texts. Children need to go beyond decoding to build mental models, make inferences, and understand nuances in language. Regular practice, ​‘putting in the reading miles’, is key. The more children read, the more they expand their vocabulary and comprehension, improving fluency. 

Teachers should pick texts that challenge students and encourage independent reading. Full texts, rather than short extracts, give children a richer reading experience. Reading aloud builds confidence, and teachers should model strategies to help students better understand texts. 

Useful for schools who: 

• Want to improve fluency and comprehension 
• Need strategies to help students tackle more complex reading 
• Want tips on encouraging independent reading 

Thank you to Wandle Learning Partnership for developing such inspiring training and to the schools for demonstrating some fantastic practical ideas that will help other primary schools with their reading environments. 

We have one more session taking place with Wandle Learning Trust in the ​‘Enhancing Reading Experiences in KS2’ series. 

Book your place below: 

• Session 4 – Friday 6 June 1.30 – 4.00pm: How sustainable is your reading for pleasure approach? Book a free place here