Beyond Phonics: Building Fluent, Expert Readers led by Francois Walker

Francois Walker leads this engaging session focused on developing confident, fluent readers across KS2 and KS3. Moving beyond early decoding, the training explores how schools can sustain reading progress and deepen comprehension through evidence-informed practice.

This session will dig into what excellence in reading looks like after phonics, with a strong focus on fluency as the bridge between decoding and understanding. Drawing on current reading research, Francois will explore how carefully structured teaching approaches can support all pupils to become more automatic, expressive, and thoughtful readers.

Participants will:

Explore the concept of fluency and its critical role in reading development beyond phonics

Engage with practical shared reading strategies, including echo reading, modelled repeated reading, and guided oral practice

Consider how purposeful text selection can support both fluency and comprehension across KS2 and KS3

Examine how these approaches can be adapted for whole-class teaching as well as targeted small group interventions

Understand how a consistent, whole-school approach to reading fluency can strengthen outcomes for all learners

Grounded in research and classroom practice, this session offers clear, actionable strategies that can be implemented immediately. It will support schools in developing a coherent approach to reading that ensures pupils continue to grow as skilled, motivated, and independent readers well beyond the early stages of learning.