In this free 40-minute webinar, teachers will develop a clear understanding of what is required to ensure all students can access and learn from complex texts and ideas.

Learning through reading becomes essential from the middle primary years and is critical for success in secondary school. Yet many teachers, particularly in secondary settings, have never been taught what reading actually involves or how to support students when comprehension breaks down.

Common responses — such as simplifying texts or focusing on engagement — can unintentionally lower expectations and limit long-term outcomes.

This session explores how we can maintain rigour while better supporting students to successfully access complex texts, using insights from the Science of Reading.

The session will explore:

— What the Science of Reading actually is — and why it’s often misunderstood

— Why comprehension breaks down, even when students can read the words

— Why many common classroom approaches don’t lead to strong reading outcomes

— Why literacy is not just an English issue, but central to learning across all subjects

— What current debates around the Science of Reading mean for classroom practice (beyond phonics)

This session is suitable for teachers and school leaders working with students who:

— Avoid reading or disengage when texts become challenging

— Can read the words but don’t understand the meaning

— Rely heavily on the teacher instead of working independently

Suitable for both primary and secondary teachers, this session is designed for educators who want greater clarity and precision in their practice — whether these ideas are new to you or you’re looking to apply them more intentionally.