The Reading framework: reflecting on your classroom practice - Peters

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Reading Framework series: Reflecting on your classroom practice

The reading framework

October 1st 2023

In last week's blog, we looked at the framework's suggestions for rethinking your childrens reading corners. This week, we're turning the focus to your staff. As a team with years of teaching experience, we empathise with the position you face as leaders and teachers. Our advice considers the updated reading framework whilst empowering you to retain teacher agency and recognise the value of your staff. 

Build on your existing successes

With the reading framework covering so many proposals and recommendations, it would be easy for any dedicated school to lose sight of their own vision whilst trying to implement it. Schools should interpret the new guidance whilst reflecting on their existing practice - what already works in your English curriculum, and the needs of your individual school community. No-one is better placed to know these needs than your staff. In recent years, many schools have crafted individual and outstanding curriculums by writing their own units of work or selecting units by their relevance to the community. 

 

How we can help: It can be complicated and time-consuming to source quality texts to support each unit or subject. Our bespoke selections are handpicked by our expert team of teachers and librarians. Contact us with your curriculum overview and budget and we will select texts for you. 

  

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Focus on reading for pleasure 

The Key Stage 2 results again highlight the attainment gap between disadvantaged pupils and their peers. The focus on reading, including older early readers, is therefore central to many school improvement plans within the primary curriculum in the UK. This should remain the focus as you reflect on the framework, feeding into your existing practice rather than changing the course of successful interventions you already have in place.

If you're in need of specific collections to inspire particular groups of children, we can help with our variety of book packs for schools. Perhaps you need a focus text to use with a catch-up reading group, phonics titles suitable for older pupils who are still in the early stages of their reading journey, or book lists that will support specific needs. Our website offers a wealth of information and recommendations, or you can speak to our team for recommendations that uniquely reflect your school. 

Open up important conversations

The professional status of teachers is now limited to ‘delivery’ of a pre-set curriculum. At the same time, teaching roles have become increasingly concerned with social development. How do you best manage this burden with ever increasing time restraints and reduced funding and resources?

As overwhelming as most teaching roles may now seem, we are at our best when providing individually for pupils who really need us. Opening up important conversations through texts and talk can help some pupils to see their own lives reflected. Broadening the persepective of students who may not yet have encountered these struggles is just as critical. 

In these moments you need the right text and there isn’t always time to search for it. This is where our team can help. As a partner of EmpathyLab, we've included plenty of book suggestions on our PSHE, empathy and wellbeing pages. We also work with publishers to provide titles that celebrate diversity and inclusivity. Or for a more structured response, try our Book Talk cards. With new texts every month, this is a great way to open up discussion and introduce your pupils to the very best new books. 

 Book talks cards in the primary curriculum uk Book Talk cards

Foster a lifelong love of reading

Curriculum planning now tends to be built around ‘outcomes’ and the expectation to provide tangible evidence for learning. As a result, accountability is in the minds of every school team. Despite this, the framework mentions connections to the overall mission - to foster a lifelong love of reading - on many occasions. 

Many schools are successfully promoting reading for pleasure through ‘experience days’ or special events, which can spark the imaginations of hard-to-reach pupils. From World Book Day to The Big Draw and National Poetry Day, our specially-curated reading spines can support national days and events throughout the year. We can also offer tailored support and recommendations to ensure that your chosen focus event demonstrates progression and has the desired learning outcomes. Get in touch with our team to discuss your ideas further.
Childrens reading corner to promote reading for pleasure

Enliven students' curiosity

Schools need to provide an enriched experience of subjects that inspires young people beyond exam specifications. This approach will enliven their curiosity and desire to better understand the wider world. The most enriching subject teaching needs books to bring concepts to life.

We read and review all new children's titles within the reading frameworks on a weekly basis, with each of these reviews accessible by creating an online account. Each week, our Recommended Reads are highlighted on our homepage and we reveal the latest titles selected as our Books of the Week. Our teams are also on hand for bespoke requests - we'll do the searching so you don't have to! 

 

 

Reflecting on what is working in your school and identifying the path ahead is a critical part of the early autumn term. Whether you are looking to respond to the framework’s recommendations or you have more bespoke requirements, our team can help. This will leave you free to focus on the most important task: engaging the young minds in your school community. 

Get in touch

For bespoke support and advice on implementing the reading framework guidance in your school, contact our team at hello@peters.co.uk, or call us on 0121 666 6646. 

 

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