READING beyond PHONICS - Reading Comprehension –Theory, Research, Good Practice and Government Guidance
How do we teach Fluency and Reading Comprehension?
Many schools now face a familiar challenge: pupils who read fluently, yet struggle to fully understand texts and perform confidently in end-of-Key Stage 2 reading assessments.
Working closely with schools to ensure a bespoke approach, I can support the development of reading comprehension and lesson designs, which takes into account all up-to-date research, the recommendations of the Reading Framework 2023 and the EEF Improving Literacy at KS2 and KS1 - whilst also addressing the need to ensure that children are still prepared for the existing ‘HIGH-STAKES’ testing at the end of KS2.
This work bridges the gap between what research says works and what schools need to deliver — creating confident teachers, strategic readers, and a coherent, defensible reading curriculum.
Strong reading outcomes at KS2 are the result of strong teaching, not test tricks
What my work focuses on
I work with schools and MATs to design and embed reading comprehension approaches that:
move pupils from decoding to deep understanding
explicitly teach vocabulary, fluency, retrieval, inference, and metacognition
build pupils’ ability to construct meaning and answer questions accurately
align classroom practice with EEF guidance, Ofsted expectations, and the KS2 test framework
This includes helping staff understand why strategies work (the theory and research), how to teach them effectively (classroom practice), and how they translate into improved outcomes in high-stakes assessments.
This is a bespoke approach depending on your needs and context - to discuss further, please use the contact detail son the button above
Aligning writing provision with The Writing Framework 2025
Many schools across trusts already demonstrate effective practice in writing.
The publication of The Writing Framework 2025 provides an opportunity to ensure that existing approaches are consistent, explicit and aligned with national expectations.
I work with multi-academy trusts and individual schools to support the refinement and alignment of writing provision, focusing on the writing process and lesson design rather than wholesale change.
Support typically focuses on:
Reviewing and strengthening the end-to-end writing process (planning, drafting, revising, editing and publishing)
Supporting teachers to design lessons that explicitly teach composition and sentence-level writing
Ensuring revising and editing are clearly defined, taught and embedded across year groups
Aligning modelling, shared writing and guided writing with research-informed practice
Supporting consistency of approach while maintaining professional autonomy
For trusts and schools, this approach supports:
Coherence and progression in writing across schools and phases
Increased teacher confidence and clarity in writing pedagogy
Improved pupil independence and quality of written outcomes
A shared, sustainable approach that aligns with The Writing Framework 2025 and inspection expectations
Support can be tailored to trust-wide priorities and may include leadership briefings, staff development, curriculum review and ongoing coaching.
This is a bespoke approach depending on your needs and context - to discuss further, please use the contact detail son the button above
ASSESSING WRITING YEAR 1 TO YEAR 5 - Total Cost per school: £250 pounds
To include:
All materials provided on a USB memory stick for unlimited use in the purchasing school.
A free introductory staff meeting to explain the use of the materials.
Packages for multiple schools/MATS are also available on request.
Individual Year Group Materials can be purchased in the Digital Store
ASSESSING WRITING YEAR 2 and YEAR 6
Total Cost:
One form entry School - £50
Two Form Entry - £90
Three Form + - £120
The material can be provided free of charge if accompanied by a half day (or two staff meetings) CPD – outlining how to use the materials effectively and training on the difference between WTS/EXS and EXS/GDS – Cost £250
ASSESSING MATHS Y1 to Y6
Total Cost:
One form entry School - £60
Two Form Entry - £100
Three Form + - £150
The material can be provided free of charge if accompanied by a half day (or two staff meetings) CPD – outlining how to use the materials effectively and training on the difference between WTS/EXS and EXS/GDS – Cost £250