Commission a Power of Reading Project

Our Power of Reading and Power of Reading in the Early Years programmes have been delivered in regions across the country in partnership with a range of providers, both face to face and online. To commission the Power of Reading programme for a group of schools in your local area, network or trust please email: por@clpe.org.uk 

What is Power of Reading?

The Power of Reading develops teacher subject knowledge and supports your school to raise engagement and attainment in language, vocabulary, reading and writing and meet all the requirements of the National Curriculum. 

The four-day programme shows teachers how to build a book-based curriculum by putting children’s literature at the heart of their primary English curriculum. The programme develops understanding of proven pedagogical approaches and covers:

• Improving knowledge of children's literature and its role in developing children's literacy;      
• The role of reading aloud in developing children as readers and writers;
• Planning and delivering text based units of work;
• Exploring a range of creative approaches and their role in engaging children in literacy;
• Embedding reading skills and strategies in the whole class teaching of English;  
• Using quality texts to teach language, vocabulary and grammar in context and develop greater depth in writing;
• Exploring the development of language and ideas for writing;
• The role of storytelling in developing children's understanding of narrative;
• Using drama to improve comprehension and composition;
• Using non-fiction to develop understanding of audience and authorial voice; 
• The importance of poetry in developing children as readers and writers;
• Developing a reading for pleasure culture throughout the school.

In addition all participants will:

• Receive two Power of Reading book packs: one containing 12 tried and tested high-quality children’s books, appropriate to their year group with accompanying teaching plans; and one containing 2 titles to develop participants knowledge and understanding of children’s literature. 
• Have the opportunity to meet leading children's writers such as SF Said, Ken Wilson-Max, Bethan Woolvin, Piers Torday and Chitra Soundar.
• Receive a CLPE School Membership for 12 months. This membership gives whole school access to our Power of Reading teaching sequences for every year group from Nursery to Y7, as well as examples of how teachers have implemented their training back in the classroom and access to home learning activities.

The impact of the Power of Reading

The most recent evidence of impact comes from an independent evaluation by Leeds Trinity University and shows that in schools participating in the Power of Reading training:

• Children make an additional 6 months progress in reading and writing
• The programme has particular impact on pupils who had previously been reluctant to engage with literacy
• The achievement gap between boys and girls is significantly narrowed
• The achievement gap between advantaged and disadvantaged pupils is significantly narrowed
• Find that their children choose to read more often, at greater length and are more confident in talking about books

"It has transformed the way we teach reading, writing and cross curricular work. It has also changed the children’s attitudes to reading and has increased the uptake in reading for pleasure."

Sarah Bradshaw, Acting Assistant Headteacher (KS1), Sutton Park Primary School, Birmingham

Bring the Power of Reading to a group of schools in your area

Our Power of Reading and Power of Reading in the Early Years programmes have been delivered in regions across the country in partnership with a range of providers, both face-to-face and online

Our team can talk to you about how to commission the Power of Reading programme for a group schools in your local area, network or trust. To get in touch please email: por@clpe.org.uk 

View our video below to find about the impact of implementing the Power of Reading across a network of schools in Brighton and Hove.