Supporting learners’ reading development is fundamental to raising attainment and fostering lifelong literacy. Effective reading instruction promotes not only decoding and fluency but also comprehension, critical thinking, and engagement with a wide range of texts. Teachers play a crucial role in creating inclusive, language-rich environments that meet the diverse needs of learners, using formative assessment and evidence-based strategies to guide progression. By deepening our understanding of how children develop as readers, we empower them to access the curriculum, participate fully in learning, and thrive as confident individuals.

The Scarborough Reading Rope: A Framework for Skilled Reading

The Scarborough Reading Rope is a widely respected model that illustrates the complex, interwoven skills required for proficient reading. Developed by Dr. Hollis Scarborough, the rope consists of two main strands: word recognition (including phonological awareness, decoding, and sight recognition) and language comprehension (including background knowledge, vocabulary, language structures, verbal reasoning, and literacy knowledge). Over time, these strands become more fluent and automatic, resulting in skilled reading. This model supports practitioners in identifying and addressing specific areas of need, reinforcing the importance of both decoding skills and rich language experiences in developing confident, competent readers.