BlueSky Learning Presents Susie Spolander

Reading for meaning – comprehending across the curriculum

There is an ever-high emphasis on the importance of all pupils being able to read for meaning, purpose and pleasure. Recent documents, such as Ofsted’s Research Review of English (July 22) and ‘Now the whole school is reading’ (Oct 22) and, more recently, the DfE’s revised and updated Reading Framework (July 23) present findings and recommendations to support all pupils to develop the reading skills required to become lifelong readers; not simply able to decode words but to read with meaning for pleasure, learning and function.

In this BlueSky Learning Presents session we are joined by Susie Spolander, an experienced English Consultant. Susie will focus on current research and best-practice recommendations to support the development of pupils’ reading strategies and skills and will offer practical ideas for their teaching and application, both within reading lessons and across the wider curriculum.

This session is designed for Class Teachers, Teaching Assistants and English/Literacy Subject Leaders across all phases.

Key takeaways:

  • Examine current research and recommendations related to the teaching of reading for meaning
  • Consider the teaching of reading, both within English and across other subjects
  • Explore practical ideas for teaching and applying reading skills and strategies within reading lessons and throughout the wider curriculum
  • Reflect on current practice and next steps for development
Susie Spolander, Reading

As an experienced English consultant, Susie Spolander works nationally and internationally with schools, academies, partnerships and organisations to develop and improve all aspects of English across the primary age range. Using her knowledge of the curriculum, assessment and effective teaching and learning practices, she successfully supports many schools — leaders, teachers and support staff — to improve outcomes for their pupils. 

In her 20+ year career in education, Susie has enjoyed classroom teaching across EYFS to Year 6 and a range of leadership posts. Her passion for leading improvement in English then led her to work as an English Consultant, firstly for Oxfordshire’s School Improvement Team and now independently.

Susie has written, developed and led a wide variety of training events, programmes and projects to address current educational priorities, and also works with publishers to develop educational products and their accompanying professional development programmes.

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