Masterclasses

A series of six full day CPD sessions delivered by creative literacy experts at the Centre for Literacy in Primary Education.

• Masterclass 1: Building 'Reading for Pleasure' Schools

  Booking for the Masterclasses session is now live.

  Date and Time: Tuesday 26 November 2024, 9am to 3.30pm plus optional twilight networking to 5pm.

  Venue: Centre for Literacy in Primary Education, 44 Webber Street, London SE1 8QW (map).

  Suitable for: Class teachers (EYFS-KS2), English Subject Leads, Senior Leadership.
  Relevant areas of the National Curriculum: Language and Vocabulary, Oracy, Reading, Writing, PSHE.

  Description of session

  Full day teacher CPD.

  Explore a range of approaches designed to increase children’s motivation to read with a greater depth of understanding, leading to increased engagement and attainment across your school. We will focus on managing reading areas to make stock accessible, developing children’s self-selection and independence in reading and foster a love of reading in the school community.

  Detail of activity

  This Masterclass will be delivered by an expert advisory teacher from CLPE in partnership with award-winning children’s author S.F. Said, and will support teachers and leaders to plan for increased engagement and attainment in reading across the primary years.

  We will explore the breadth of research that connects reading for pleasure with reading attainment, and the ways in which the act of reading expands understanding of language, vocabulary and knowledge of the world.

  We will consider the role of all adults in school as readers, creating a culture in which children can be influenced to read widely and for pleasure, as well as the practices that enable teacher and peer book recommendations to take place and which build reading habits and reader identity.

  We will demonstrate creative teaching approaches that give all children access to high quality texts, and that are designed to target specific reading skills and increase children’s motivation to read with a greater depth of understanding, leading to increased engagement and attainment across your school.

  We will reflect on the importance of providing a range and breadth of carefully chosen quality children’s literature in developing engaged and motivated readers.

  We will also look at ways in which schools make this stock accessible, developing children’s self-selection and independence in reading and fostering a love of reading across the school community.

  Key areas of focus
  • What do we mean by Reading for Pleasure?
  • The importance of a rich knowledge of children’s literature and the role of teacher as reader, within a community of readers.
  • Getting to know your children as readers, their interests and fascinations, their development, skills and understanding as readers, and draw on this to support the development of effective provision and practice.
  • A greater understanding of what progression and development in reading looks like and the connection between reading identity and reading attainment.
  • How to nurture positive reader identity and broaden children’s outlook through the use of quality inclusive literature.
  • How to effectively choose and use a range of texts for different reading experiences, designed to promote reading for pleasure.
  • Investigating and trialling key teaching approaches designed and proven to give all children access to quality texts and language and to raise engagement and attainment in reading across the school.
  • The centrality of reading aloud as a key teaching approach that enables children to deepen response, improve access, develop vocabulary and draw attention to language models, while also modelling skilled reading behaviours and the pace, prosody and expression of fluent reading.
  • Strategies for creating and maintaining a reading environment that is inviting and inclusive, that supports choosing and browsing, which invites re-reading and revisiting, and includes books that invite wider reading across forms, authors, poets and illustrators, topics or themes.

  Takeaway
  Participants will receive a high-quality children’s book for each primary phase (EYFS, KS1, KS2). They will also receive planning notes to help put strategies into practice in the classroom.

  Booking opens for Masterclasses on Wednesday 25 September 2024.

  Book Now

• Masterclass 2: Planning Creatively Around Quality Texts

  Booking for the Masterclasses session is now live.

  Date and Time: Tuesday 21 January 2025, 9am to 3.30pm plus optional twilight networking to 5pm.

  Venue: Centre for Literacy in Primary Education, 44 Webber Street, London SE1 8QW (map).

  Suitable for: Class teachers (EYFS-KS2), English Subject Leads, Senior Leadership.
  Relevant areas of the National Curriculum: Language and Vocabulary, Oracy, Reading, Writing, PSHE.

  Description of session

  Full day teacher CPD.

  Explore how to develop and draw upon an extended unit of work inspired by a high-quality text that will support improved attainment in literacy and support thinking skills and creativity across the curriculum.

  Detail of activity

  This Masterclass will be delivered by an expert advisory teacher from CLPE in partnership with award-winning children’s author Nicola Davies and will provide teachers and school leaders with knowledge of a range of creative teaching approaches that have been proven to enhance higher order thinking, reading, writing and spoken language across the primary years.

  We will explore how to develop and draw upon an extended unit of work inspired by a high-quality text that will support improved attainment in literacy and support thinking skills and creativity across the curriculum.

  Key areas of focus

  • What we mean by creativity.
  • Why creative learning is important in supporting children’s literacy development.
  • Choosing and using quality texts that support development in reading and writing, as well as meaningful cross-curricular learning.
  • Exploring contexts and creative teaching approaches proven to enhance literacy engagement and extend learning across the curriculum.
  • A range of strategies and approaches that develop reading engagement, comprehension skills, fluency and stamina.
  • Practices that shape a community of writers in which children are curious, engaged and motivated to write collaboratively, individually and independently.
  • Creative approaches that best support an authentic writing process, including language and vocabulary acquisition, building of imaginative ideas, drafting, editing and publication.
  • How to plan for literacy learning across the curriculum, as exemplified through a teaching sequence.

  Takeaway
  Participants will receive a high-quality children’s book for each primary phase (EYFS, KS1, KS2), as well as associated teaching sequences of detailed planning to support the implementation of the ideas from the day, to inspire creative and meaningful practice in their own classrooms and schools.

  Book Now

• Masterclass 3: Transforming Literacy Through Storytelling

  Booking for the Masterclasses session is now live.

  Date and Time: Tuesday 4 March 2025, 9am to 3.30pm plus optional twilight networking to 5pm.

  Venue: Centre for Literacy in Primary Education, 44 Webber Street, London SE1 8QW (map).

  Suitable for: Class teachers (EYFS-KS2), English Subject Leads, Senior Leadership.
  Relevant areas of the National Curriculum: Language and Vocabulary, Oracy, Reading, Writing, PSHE.

  Description of session

  Full day teacher CPD.

  Enhance your knowledge and understanding of how to use traditional tales and oral storytelling techniques across all Primary Key Stages to increase children’s motivation and attainment in spoken language and in writing.

  Detail of activity
  This Masterclass will be delivered by an expert advisory teacher from CLPE in partnership with the award-winning and acclaimed storyteller Jan Blake and will support participants to enhance their knowledge and understanding of how to use oral storytelling techniques and traditional tales across all Primary Key Stages to increase children’s motivation, confidence and attainment across the literacy provision.

  Through a range of interactive activities, we will investigate how storytelling can be integrated into the primary curriculum in ways that increase children’s comprehension of language and engage children in deeper reading response. We will also develop an understanding of how traditional tales can be used to develop children’s own use of language as well as a clear understanding of narrative structure; inspiring them to write creatively and independently.

  By working alongside an experienced storyteller and workshop leader, we will be able to reflect on the value of storytelling (and the approaches which support and prepare pupils for storytelling) which can be used in class with all children to improve confidence, engagement, language and vocabulary development and lead to independent writing behaviours – all in line with the requirements of the Early Years Foundation Framework and National Curriculum.

  Key areas of focus

  • Why storytelling is an important element of the primary provision for all children.
  • Understanding the importance of all forms of traditional tales as a vital part of children’s reading experiences across all primary years.
  • Explore the importance and value of personal narrative.
  • Develop an understanding of the ways in which storytelling and traditional tales provide knowledge of the initial building blocks of narrative (and later of a wider range of narrative arcs) to support children’s confidence and independence in shaping whole narratives of their own.
  • Consider and practice a range of techniques to engage audience orally.
  • Explore approaches which support remembering, understanding and telling stories.
  • Develop an understanding of how language can be used for effect, including language structures and choice of vocabulary.
  • Consider how to find and choose stories to tell and use with children across the primary age phase.

  Takeaway
  Participants will receive a high-quality children’s book for each primary phase (EYFS, KS1, KS2), as well as associated teaching sequences of detailed planning to support the implementation of the ideas from the day and to inspire creative and meaningful practice in their own classrooms and schools.

  Booking opens for Masterclasses on Wednesday 25 September 2024.

  Book Now

• Masterclass 4: Transforming Literacy Through Picture Books

  Booking for the Masterclasses sesssions are now live.

  Each CPD session offers a stand-alone day of teacher development designed to support participants to explore and develop creative teaching approaches to a range of priorities around reader development: reading for pleasure, planning creatively around texts, poetry, using picture books, literacy through storytelling and drama.

  The programme is designed so that each CPD session provides a comprehensive exploration of its topic and does not require participants to have attended any other sessions.

  Participants at each session will:

  • Hear from an expert advisory teacher from CLPE in partnership with a
  high-profile children’s author/illustrator.
  • Work with peers to explore and develop creative approaches to literacy
  and reader development.
  • Receive at least one high-quality book to take away.
  • Take away teaching plans and resources to use in the classroom.
  • Be invited to an exclusive twilight session following the Masterclass,
  giving you the opportunity to explore the library and connect with peers,
  with drinks and snacks provided.

  Access & Inclusion

  These Masterclasses will take an inclusive approach and are suitable for teachers working in state primary mainstream and SEND settings. An access budget is available to support participant engagement in this programme, for example for transport, BSL interpretation, or other costs.

  Eligibility

  Primary Arts Masterclasses are aimed at qualified teachers currently working at any level in state primary mainstream and special schools in London. The programme is designed to support teachers working with pupils in all primary year groups from Reception to Year 6.

  Your school must be in a London borough to be eligible for the programme. If your school or a member of your school staff is participating in another area of the Primary Arts programme, you are still eligible to take part in this strand of the programme. Places will be limited to two participants per school for any given session.

  What's on offer?

• Masterclass 5: Transforming Literacy Through Poetry

  Booking for the Masterclasses session is now live.

  Date and Time: Tuesday 10 June 2025, 9am to 3.30pm plus optional twilight networking to 5pm.

  Venue: Centre for Literacy in Primary Education, 44 Webber Street, London SE1 8QW (map).

  Suitable for: Class teachers (EYFS-KS2), English Subject Leads, Senior Leadership.
  Relevant areas of the National Curriculum: Language and Vocabulary, Oracy, Reading, Writing, PSHE.

  Description of session

  Full day teacher CPD.

  Explore how you can effectively build a spine for poetry across all Primary Key Stages, in line with the recommendations of the new Reading Framework.

  Detail of activity
  This Masterclass will be delivered by an expert advisory teacher from CLPE in partnership with award-winning children’s poet Matt Goodfellow.

  The session will explore how poetry can be used in cross-curricular ways to engage children in reading and performing poetry, develop effective writing and raise engagement and attainment in line with the requirements of the National Curriculum. The day will allow schools to consider how they can effectively build a spine for poetry across the Early Years and Primary, in line with the recommendations of the new Reading Framework.

  We will investigate high quality collections that can be used at different ages and stages and will look at the essential approaches and experiences that engage children with poetry, developing essential skills for speaking and listening, reading fluency and comprehension, phonics, spelling and grammar and composition of children’s independent writing. Throughout the day, Matt will share his own experiences of reading and writing poetry, engaging participants with performances of a range of poetry and supporting them to go on to write their own poetry using interactive approaches and practical activities which can be implemented immediately back in the classroom. These will support children of all ages, from EYFS to Year 6.

  Key areas of focus
  • Gain greater confidence in planning a range of practical activities to develop children’s creative writing in the classroom.
  • Develop strategies to incorporate poetry into the wider curriculum.
  • Learn how to develop and extend children’s understanding and use of vocabulary through poetry.
  • Develop a wide knowledge of poets and poetry.
  • Look at ways to engage children with a variety of poetic styles and forms through a range of creative approaches.
  • Investigate how poetry supports the development of reading fluency.
  • Use poetry to support pupils to respond to texts at a greater depth and develop deeper levels of inference when reading.
  • Learn how to use poetry to develop and extend vocabulary and comprehension of language across the curriculum.
  • Look at ways to help children foster their own authentic voices through writing poetry.
  • Explore ideas and activities designed to support children to write effectively to make impact on the reader.

  Takeaway
  All participants will gain expert insights from the CLPE’s Power of Poetry research project, a free copy of CLPE’s Poetry: What We Know Works booklet, as well as receiving a poetry collection for each primary phase (EYFS, KS1 and KS2) to help with the immediate implementation of the day’s training. Resources provided will including teaching plans to support schools in providing a range and breadth of poetry as children move through the Early Years and Primary phases.

  Book Now

• Masterclass 6: Transforming Literacy Through Classroom Drama

  Booking for the Masterclasses session is now live.

  Date and Time: Tuesday 8 July 2025, 9am to 3.30pm plus optional twilight networking to 5pm.

  Venue: Centre for Literacy in Primary Education, 44 Webber Street, London SE1 8QW (map).

  Suitable for: Class teachers (EYFS-KS2), English Subject Leads, Senior Leadership.
  Relevant areas of the National Curriculum: Language and Vocabulary, Oracy, Reading, Writing, PSHE.

  Description of session

  Full day teacher CPD.

  Enhance your knowledge and understanding of a wide range of classroom drama approaches which are proven to build children’s confidence and self-esteem, provoke creativity and language development, enhancing engagement and attainment in reading comprehension and a range of written outcomes.

  Detail of activity

  This Masterclass will be delivered by an expert advisory teacher from CLPE in partnership with drama and oracy creative learning specialist, Kate Hopewell and will provide teachers and school leaders with a wide range of drama and oracy activities that can be used and applied across all areas of literacy and the wider curriculum.

  All activities are designed to sit within core curriculum teaching and learning, targeting National Curriculum and Early Years Statutory Framework objectives and eliciting higher quality learning outcomes for all pupils.

  We will explore narrative, character and worlds within the story to unlock learning potential through the usage of 3D learning strategies.

  We will provide tools that can be used time and again in order to bridge cultural and experiential gaps, ensuring that the provision is accessible and inclusive to all.

  We will explore how to develop and draw upon an extended unit of work inspired by a high-quality text that will support improved attainment in literacy and support thinking skills and creativity across the curriculum.

  Key areas of focus
  • Why, when and how to use drama to engage with any area of learning.
  • How to ensure behaviour for learning and personalise learning through drama.
  • Approaches that develop communication, creative thinking, collaborative working, and social cohesion within a classroom.
  • How to unlock a narrative and bring a quality text to life using approaches that develop reading engagement, comprehension skills, fluency and stamina.
  • Explore learning approaches which are proven to inspire and enhance attainment for all, and especially for groups of pupils who might be perceived as reluctant to engage or hard to reach.
  • Practices that empower children with a confidence and ownership and lead to curious, engaged and motivated writers who work collaboratively, individually and independently.
  • Activities that ensure enhanced language and vocabulary acquisition,
  engagement with the world and the development of imaginative ideas.

  Takeaway
  Participants will receive a high-quality children’s book for each primary phase (EYFS, KS1, KS2), as well as associated teaching sequences of detailed planning to support the implementation of the ideas from the day, to inspire creative and meaningful practice in their own classrooms and schools.

  Book Now