KS2 Literacy

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BookQuest

Our BookQuest KS2 literacy programme is designed to support children who struggle with comprehension, despite being competent at reading individual words. Understandably, many of these children don’t enjoy reading and often view it as a chore.

Using carefully chosen picture books BookQuest helps children become questioning, curious readers who are fully engaged with the stories, boosting enjoyment, as well as developing comprehension, vocabulary and spoken language skills. As experienced education professionals, our specially-trained tutors are able to adapt sessions to the needs of individual children.

The BookQuest programme is delivered in schools across Oxfordshire in small groups of children who have been chosen by their school. Our tutors and teaching team keep in close with contact with the school to ensure we have all the information we need to help each child.

BookQuest is one of the programmes we offer under the National Tutoring Programme. Find out more.

Want to know more?

If you are a school looking for help with some of your pupils, and would like to discuss how BookQuest could work in your school, please email us at teaching@questforlearning.org.uk

If you are a parent whose child has been selected for BookQuest, and you would like to know more about how it works and how you can help, please email us at teaching@questforlearning.org.uk

If you are a potential funder of educational projects, and would like to support us in our mission ot tackle the education disadvantage gap, please email us at fundraising@questforlearning.org.uk

 

Months progress in comprehension

How we work with Tutors

All our programmes are delivered by specially trained tutors who are employed by Quest for Learning and supported by our Teaching Team.

Interested in joining our friendly, supportive team? If you are an experienced primary teacher or qualified education professional looking for part-time work, we would love to hear from you!

Read more

“I enjoyed reading books that I thought were impossible for me to read.”

Pupil

“Freya has really grown in confidence when reading since taking part in BookQuest. She now enjoys reading rather than seeing it as a chore as she struggled.”

Parent

“You have obviously inspired and boosted his confidence.”

Teacher

Luke's Story

Luke is a Year 6 pupil with some learning difficulties. When he started BookQuest, his spoken language was very poor; he struggled to express himself in full sentences and had some trouble understanding questions and instructions. Consequently he often seemed bewildered within the classroom environment. His reading ability was low; he did not like reading and did not read at home. In school, he tried to read books that other boys in his class enjoyed but they were too difficult for him. In 1:1 BookQuest sessions, he extended his oral language, began to include more detail in conversations, and speak in full sentences. The privacy of the sessions allowed him to choose stories at his level and show his enjoyment of them without feeling self-conscious. He took books home and began to read to his little brother. At the end of Year 6 he is now proud to report that his reading is “good”, and he is proud of his writing achievements. He shows confidence and enthusiasm for learning and is looking forward to secondary school.

Sophie's story

Sophie’s teacher suggested she take part in BookQuest because she lacked confidence in her reading, was reluctant to contribute to whole class discussion and wasn’t reading at the level expected for age.   

The Quest for Learning Tutor found that Sophie responded really well to the programme which she did with 2 other children over 10 weeks.  She put her hand up all the time, wanting to read and answer questions.   Given time and praise she offered extended answers and was keen to show off new words she was learning.  As her confidence grew she became competitive in her writing and wanted to write more words, though spelling and sentence structure was still challenging. She really enjoyed role play and showed talent in putting on different voices and improvising dialogue.  

After taking part in 20 sessions of BookQuest her reading accuracy had jumped by 24 months and her reading comprehension by 18 months.  Sophie said she was more confident at reading, writing and answering questions, and enjoyed “having fun”.   Her parents felt she had benefited from the programme and was now more confident and enthusiastic about reading, writing and school in general. 

Literacy training for teachers and TAs

Securing Foundations in Primary English in Years 1&2 (two-part course)

Course date September 13, 2022

This two-part course will provide teachers with an overview of the progression of knowledge and skills in reading and writing on which their year group’s curriculum is built and then the opportunity to consider how gaps in previous learning may be addressed and effective teaching strategies employed to secure the foundations of the curriculum on which new learning can be built.

Securing Foundations in Primary English in Years 3&4 (two-part course)

Course date September 14, 2022

This two-part course will provide teachers with an overview of the progression of knowledge and skills in reading and writing on which their year group’s curriculum is built and then the opportunity to consider how gaps in previous learning may be addressed and effective teaching strategies employed to secure the foundations of the curriculum on which new learning can be built.

Securing Foundations in Primary English in Years 5&6 (two-part course)

Course date September 15, 2022

This two-part course will provide teachers with an overview of the progression of knowledge and skills in reading and writing on which their year group’s curriculum is built and then the opportunity to consider how gaps in previous learning may be addressed and effective teaching strategies employed to secure the foundations of the curriculum on which new learning can be built.

Phonics: Securing Subject Knowledge

Course date September 29, 2022

For phonics teaching to be highly effective, practitioners must have secure subject knowledge and a clear understanding of phonological progression. This interactive online workshop will cover the relevant subject knowledge and progression in order to support practitioners’ teaching of phonics and support for pupils to apply knowledge in their reading and writing.

Supporting Reading in KS1: a workshop for Teaching Assistants

Course date September 29, 2022

This course is designed specifically for TAs to provide an understanding of the KS1 writing curriculum and its associated subject knowledge, as well as an opportunity to explore strategies and approaches for scaffolding pupils’ writing to develop independence and confidence.

English Subject Leaders’ Network

Course date October 3, 2022

This series of termly network meetings is aimed at providing updates and ensuring subject leaders have the latest information to support their strategic role in schools. Each meeting will have a different focus, planned in response to current research and priorities, and will also allow for time to share school developments and best practice, as well as to network with other English subject leaders.

Creating Readers in KS1

Course date October 3, 2022

This two-part course encompasses the key elements of reading – word reading, fluency and comprehension. Recent research and guidance will be shared, along with the associated subject knowledge of these key elements, and participants will have the opportunity to explore a variety of practical, proven approaches for teaching and developing each aspect in the KS1 curriculum.

Creating Readers in Years 3&4

Course date October 4, 2022

This two-part course encompasses the key elements of reading – word reading, fluency and comprehension. Recent research and guidance will be shared, along with the associated subject knowledge of these key elements, and participants will have the opportunity to explore a variety of practical, proven approaches for teaching and developing each aspect in the Year 3 and 4 curriculum.

Supporting Reading in KS2: a workshop for Teaching Assistants

Course date October 6, 2022

This session aims to develop Teaching Assistants’ practice in their work to support pupils to develop Key Stage 2 reading skills and strategies. The elements of reading – word reading, fluency and comprehension – will be explained and TAs will have the opportunity to explore a variety of practical, proven approaches for supporting pupils.

Creating Readers in Years 5&6

Course date October 6, 2022

This two-part course encompasses the key elements of reading – word reading, fluency and comprehension. Recent research and guidance will be shared, along with the associated subject knowledge of these key elements, and participants will have the opportunity to explore a variety of practical, proven approaches for teaching and developing each aspect in the Year 5 and 6 curriculum.

End of KS1 Writing Assessment and Moderation: Securing the expected standard

Course date November 8, 2022

This series of sessions is suitable for both Year 1 and Year 2 teachers, either as colleagues from the same school or attending independently. English subject leaders are also welcome to attend in order for them to gain an overview of progress towards end of KS1 writing expectations. 

End of KS2 Writing Assessment and Moderation: Securing the expected standard

Course date November 8, 2022

This series of sessions is suitable for both Year 5 and Year 6 teachers, either as colleagues from the same school or attending independently. English subject leaders are also welcome to attend in order for them to gain an overview of progress towards end of KS2 writing expectations. 

All courses
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