5.0 out of 5 stars Required reading for all teachers!

H. · 30 March 2025

(function() { P.when('cr-A', 'ready').execute(function(A) { if(typeof A.toggleExpanderAriaLabel === 'function') { A.toggleExpanderAriaLabel('review_text_read_more', 'Read more of this review', 'Read less of this review'); } }); })(); .review-text-read-more-expander:focus-visible { outline: 2px solid #2162a1; outline-offset: 2px; border-radius: 5px; } An incredibly generous and comprehensive guide to reading in a primary school, and absolutely relevant for secondary English teachers as well as primary, and for leaders in all phases. We know that teaching children to learn to read and to love to read is essential to their life chances, and Christopher Such offers detailed, thought-provoking wisdom that will be helpful to all who read it. We’ve been trialing the approaches in different classes, and it is already having impact, as well as energising every teacher who has read it! There is no doubt that because of this book, we will be able to teach more children to read well, and have a deeper and more secure experience in the classroom. The implementation plan is a good example of Such’s vision to support leaders and teachers alike. So many books are full of good ideas, but they fail because people are not supported to implement them. Not so here. Thank you, Christopher Such, for writing the book we needed, and please keep advocating for the experience of reading that every child deserves.

5.0 out of 5 stars Another winner!

P.T. · 10 June 2025

Easy to read and incredibly useful. This book and Chris' previous one are the foundation stone of the transformation of reading in my school.

5.0 out of 5 stars Read it!

A.N. · 9 June 2025

An extremely helpful and informative book, full of ideas to implement in the classroom.

5.0 out of 5 stars The best book out there about primary reading

A. · 9 January 2025

Christopher Such's first book, 'Art and Science of Teaching Primary Reading', became really well known, and for good reason. He effectively summarised the best research there is about primary reading, and discouraged the kind of practices that are/were common across primary schools - i.e. treating the reading domains ('VIPERS') separately and essentially just doing test practice as reading lessons.However, it was less clear about what we should do instead. Primary reading is complicated - balancing phonics, fluency, comprehension and of course SATs - and it can become a maze in terms of finding out what the best approaches are.In this book, which is essentially a standalone sequel to his first (you don't need to read the other one first though), Christopher Such resolves this by outlining how to effectively teach primary reading. He does this really, really well. He is very good at intertwining research with practical classroom application. His presents quite simple-but-effective reading lesson structures and provides everything you need to get started, including scripts of example lessons. He also addresses likely barriers and how to overcome them. Put simply, this is what every education book should be like: you should be able to walk away and make effective changes to your classroom and/or school from the next day.If you lead or teach primary reading at ALL, you really need this book. There is a lot of snake oil out there in terms of primary reading resources, especially KS2 comprehension, and this book shows what actually works. It is worth every penny and it should be a must-read for every primary school in the country.Now I'd ideally like Christopher Such to write the equivalent book for Maths!

5.0 out of 5 stars A superb book full of usable evidence backed skills and techniques.

M.Y. · 30 March 2025

I loved Chris' first book, the Art and Science of Primary Reading and so I couldn't wait for this one to be published. I wasn't disappointed. Absolute essential read for anyone teaching and leading reading in a primary setting. I especially like the guide to which sections are especially good for each type of professional eg. Leader, teacher, this allowed me to dip into parts useful to me.

5.0 out of 5 stars What every child needs every teacher to know.

A.B. · 31 March 2025

This is absolutely essential for everyone involved in teaching children to read. Order it for everyone in your school and give them time to read it - it’ll be a total game changer.Chris - thank you for this seminal work, and for the time, wisdom and guidance you share with the profession so generously.

5.0 out of 5 stars Quite simply the best book you’ll ever read on implementing reading

C.P. · 30 March 2025

It is inconceivable to me that anybody would rate this book lower than five stars. Practical, sensitive, sensible and evidence-informed, this book - used correctly and by the appropriate professional - will change the lives of our young people.Buy this book twice and use one for notes and one for provenance.

5.0 out of 5 stars Absolute banger!

L.G. · 30 March 2025

Absolutely brilliant, even better (if that’s even possible) than the first book from Christopher. This should be a staple in every school, great for subject leaders, teachers, trainees and those wanting to develop their professional knowledge.

Primary Reading Simplified- This year's Must-Read book for all teachers and school leaders

K.L. · 18 February 2025

(function() { P.when('cr-A', 'ready').execute(function(A) { if(typeof A.toggleExpanderAriaLabel === 'function') { A.toggleExpanderAriaLabel('review_text_read_more', 'Read more of this review', 'Read less of this review'); } }); })(); .review-text-read-more-expander:focus-visible { outline: 2px solid #2162a1; outline-offset: 2px; border-radius: 5px; } I didn't think I could love a book more than I loved Christopher Such's first book, "The Art and Science of Teaching Primary Reading". But I was wrong. His second book, "Primary Reading Simplified" is outstanding and connects the what we need to teach with the how to implement it. This powerful book should be in every school and read by every teacher, principal, and literacy leader who wants to improve literacy outcomes for students in their school.

An invaluable resource for all teachers of reading

L.J. · 5 April 2025

Clear, thorough, reliable and immediately usable advice informed by experience and deep knowledge of the evidence base

Practical and useful insight

J.C. · 15 June 2025

Extremely practical and useful to all classroom teachers. Even though the book’s aim is for primary aged children and teachers, upper grade teachers can glean a lot of wisdom and practical insights they can put to use right away. I know I have adapted the way I teach reading using it and it has taken a great burden off of me in regard to figuring out how to get the most out of the reading time I have with my students. Highly recommend anything Mr. Such writes.

Sharing his knowledge and experience to help you succeed

S.L. · 30 March 2025

It took me a while to read this whole book because I got so pumped about what I was learning in each chapter that I rushed out to my classroom to start implementing immediately. The guidance is super insightful and applicable - the perfect bridge between research and practice.I saw virtually instant gains in fluency, for example after starting the scaffolded lessons with my kindergarten students. And this book is so comprehensive- the author anticipates every issue and pre-teaches it. Example part 2, in my first scaffolded lessons the kids were distracting each other as they were reading aloud LOUDLY (because they were so proud!) at different paces. This caused frustration and temporarily took the focus off reading. I went back and of course Mr. Such had a disclaimer that you have to teach the students to read quietly. Sounds obvious of course, but my point is that this is a book that enables teachers and administrators to actually implement best teaching practices effectively because he has walked the path before you.I also loved the easy accessibility of the succinct chapters and the sequence. As I was approaching the end of the book, I found myself thinking about teaching vocabulary and my lingering questions… only to find that was the next chapter! This happy scenario happened over and over. Truly a brilliant book designed to support all of us in being as successful as possible.

Great book!

K.C. · 31 March 2025

A must read for all educators!