Reading Masters

Having identified whole school attainment in Reading as an area requiring improvement, Knowle Primary School adopted a mastery approach to the teaching of reading in Years 3 to 6, known as Reading Masters, in September 2017. At the same time, the RWI programme was introduced to Foundation, Year 1 and Year 2 to initially build comprehension strategies, with the view that Year 2 would introduce Reading Masters once children completed the RWI programme.

Reading Masters was created by teachers in the Oval Cluster (a cluster of nine primary schools in Lambeth) and offers a whole class approach to the teaching of reading. Sessions take place every day for 30 minutes and focus on a particular reading skill, guaranteeing that each of the sessions has a clear learning intention. Each year group follows the same plan which consequently ensures that a consistent approach takes place across the school. A copy of the planning can be found below.

During Reading Masters sessions, comprehension is developed through talk and the exchange of ideas. Children are then given the opportunity to answer reading comprehension questions based on the skill focus of that particular session. This not only helps teachers to monitor the children’s progress but also helps to prepare them for the statutory assessments that take place in Year 2 and Year 6.