Secondary schools offered free 'Unlocking Reading' training

State secondary schools can now sign up to the Unlocking Reading CPD, a free training programme provided by the Department for Education.

Some 25% of pupils start secondary school in Year 7 below the expected standard in reading, rising to 37% of disadvantaged pupils and 58% of SEN pupils. The Unlocking Reading CPD is designed to equip schools to raise standards in reading with 'assessment tools and evidence-based strategies'. The programme has been developed by independent education data company FFT and Royal Holloway, University of London,

'Unlocking Reading'

The 'Unlocking Reading' programme is tailored for teachers, teaching assistants and school leaders to assist struggling readers with practical strategies to embed a whole-school approach to improving reading progress and attainment.

FFT Roadshow events

The CPD is being delivered by FFT via nationwide roadshow events this spring, designed to support secondary schools in improving reading outcomes. Half-day sessions will be held at 20 venues across England, with two places confirmed for each school (SLT and a whole-school reading lead). This will be supported by an online CPD platform with ongoing webinars and on-demand training, providing 'practical, evidence-based strategies tested in real school settings', according to the Unlocking Reading website.

The half-day, in-person sessions will include an introduction and overview of the Unlocking Reading programme - including a clear call to action for school-wide implementation.

The topics covered will include:
Science of Reading
Leading whole-school reading
Assessment and diagnosing reading needs
Decoding skills and reading fluency
Reading comprehension
Supporting reading in the classroom
Delivering high-impact interventions
Diverse learners
Supporting reading across all disciplines

Key take-away messages

The session is designed to give schools practical steps for rolling out the Unlocking Reading programme in their schools, alongside information about how students learn to read; how to lead whole-school reading support, including an introduction to a reading audit tool; and reading assessment and intervention considerations for secondary settings.

Register for the Unlocking Reading programme.