Enhancing reading experiences in primary schools

We have partnered with Wandle Learning Trust to bring schools free training on enhancing reading experiences in Key Stage Two. 

The course is aimed at transforming reading habits in Key Stage Two classrooms around the UK using the principles outlined in the Reading Framework and the latest evidence-based research. Each session features a different theme and expert guest speakers, including CEOs, headteachers and reading leaders. The sessions highlight helpful case studies to showcase practice ​“on the ground” in exemplar primary schools across the UK. 

The first session in the series took place in November 2024 and looked at how to effectively promote reading for pleasure through the social and physical reading environments. Three primary schools demonstrated how they achieve this – explore our summary of each school’s talk, as well as the session recording and suggestions on which type of schools would find the tips useful. 

Newby Primary School

Gareth, headteacher at Newby Primary School, talks about how they evaluated whether the reading spaces in school were spaces that children felt welcomed to. He talks through how they used second-hand furniture to create comfy reading spaces that mimicked the atmosphere and feeling of reading at home. He talks passionately about demonstrating the importance of reading through it being ​‘everywhere you look’, including books being the first thing that is seen when you walk into their school. 

The video also covers linking reading spaces to curriculum content, how to develop teachers as readers and building a reading community. 

Useful for schools who: 

• Want some inspiring and unique ideas about how to develop ​‘cosy’ reading areas 
• Might not have a lot of bookshelves available 
• Have reading corners that may feel young for KS2 pupils 
• Have limited budget for library furniture 
• Don’t have a school library 

Chesterton Primary School

Rosina, Reading Lead at Chesterton Primary School, demonstrates how their school’s hard work earned feedback from Ofsted that ​‘pupils here love reading’. She recommends taking the time to ask yourself how you would know that children in your school like reading just from what you can see and hear walking through the school. Rosina talks through the reading displays they use and how they are purposefully placed where children continually walk past and see them. 

The video also covers Rosina’s personal journey on developing a social environment, ways to make the school library a central part of the school, and making the most of different areas to read, such as outside. 

Useful for schools who: 

• Want some inspiring ideas about where to place reading displays around school 
• Are aiming to develop opportunities for children to informally talk about books 
• Want ideas about how to use your school library to engage pupils 
• Find it challenging to scaffold reading for pleasure book talk 
• Have outdoor spaces they’d like to use for reading 

Wandle Learning Trust

In the final video, Wandle’s CPD and School Improvement Lead, Vicky, talks about Paxton Academy’s Reading for Pleasure journey, including the wonderful quote from Ofsted – ​‘this school lives and breathes reading’. She explains how everything they did when starting up in the new building for their school was a careful choice. This meant that staff really understood what was being done and why, so that a reading ethos was embedded from day one. This was done primarily through being selective about what engages children with reading and upskilling staff about reading environments. 

The video also covers how to make reading spaces accessible to children, which reading displays are the most purposeful and how to adapt creative reading ideas to fit their own space in school. 

Useful for schools who: 

• Don’t have access to an outdoor reading area 
• Want ideas on how to develop their staff’s knowledge of reading environments 
• Need creative but cost-effective ways to create reading areas 
• Want to know how to adapt ideas from other schools to the space you have available 
• Want to give ownership to children for selecting books to read 

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 three more sessions taking place with Wandle Learning Trust, in the ​‘Enhancing Reading Experiences in KS2’ series. Book your places below: 

• Session 2 – Wednesday 29 January 1.30 – 4.00pm: How effectively does your reading curriculum and KS2 lesson approach promote a love of reading? Book a free place here 
• Session 3 – Thursday 3 April 1.30 – 4.00pm: How effectively are you engaging your in-school and wider-school community in reading? Book a free place here 
• Session 4 – Friday 6 June 1.30 – 4.00pm: How sustainable is your reading for pleasure approach? Book a free place here