We’re delighted to support Andy Farrell and Ysgol Maesydderwen in delivering a collaborative Reading Workshops Day for Year 5 and 6 learners transitioning to secondary school, bringing together the high school and its four feeder primary schools. The initiative forms part of a wider shared reading strategy designed to improve continuity, consistency and equity in reading provision across the cluster.

Reading is a key priority locally and nationally, with reading standards across Powys not yet fully recovered since the pandemic and disadvantaged learners disproportionately affected. This project responds to that challenge by supporting pupils at an important transition point, helping them strengthen their reading skills, confidence and engagement while developing a shared approach to reading across the schools involved.

During the Reading Workshops Day, pupils and staff will take part in high-quality, structured reading activities focused on fluency, comprehension, vocabulary development and enjoyment. Bringing learners together across the cluster will provide an opportunity to celebrate reading while ensuring pupils are exposed to consistent, purposeful approaches as they prepare to move from primary to secondary education.

Alongside the pupil activities, staff from the participating schools will collaborate to develop a shared understanding of reading culture, leadership and standards across the cluster. This collaboration will help schools identify strengths to celebrate and areas for development within their own contexts, supporting continued improvement beyond the workshop itself.

The project reflects Achieve Equity Foundation’s commitment to addressing educational inequity through targeted and collaborative action. By prioritising learners most at risk of falling behind, strengthening transition and using learner-level evidence to inform improvement, the project aims to reduce variation between schools and ensure all pupils have equitable access to high-quality reading experiences.

Through shared practice and a collective focus on literacy, Ysgol Maesydderwen and its partner schools are working together to raise aspirations, improve reading outcomes and create a more inclusive, system-wide approach to achieving equity.