FFT Reciprocal Reading
Improves pupils’ reading comprehension by +2 months or more*
Play our introduction video
What is Reciprocal Reading?
Strategy
- A structured, discussion-based approach to teaching reading comprehension
- Develops children's understanding of a text
- Uses four strategies: predict, clarify, question and summarise
- Children use these strategies to make sense of what they read and become more confident, independent readers
Delivery
- Delivered to small groups (4-8 pupils) with a trained teacher or teaching assistant
- Reciprocal Reading sessions run at least twice a week for 20-30 minutes over the course of 12-16 weeks
The evidence
Improving reading comprehension and overall reading
98
schools
*EEF funded an efficacy trial and independent evaluation with 98 schools and 5,222 pupils in Years 4, 5 and 6.
+2
months
Children using Reciprocal Reading as a targeted intervention made +2 months' additional progression in reading comprehension and overall reading compared to the control group.
FSM
pupils
The intervention had an even larger positive impact with disadvantaged children eligible for free school meals.
For whom is Reciprocal Reading suitable?
This intervention is suitable for Key Stage 2 pupils who:
- Can decode, but struggle to understand texts
- Read very slowly because they are focusing on accurate decoding or read too fast and don’t pay attention to what they are reading
- Lack confidence when reading new or unfamiliar texts and have a limited reading repertoire
- Have impaired understanding through limited understanding of vocabulary
- Read text avidly but never question the meaning of words

How can schools use Reciprocal Reading?
For schools wishing to access Reciprocal Reading outside of our EEF trial, we have a limited-time offer for 40 schools to work with us.
Limited-time package
- Two full-day online training sessions with follow-up support meetings
- Guides to support the effective implementation of Reciprocal Reading
- Copies of FFT's 'A Selection of Stories'
- Online access to example plans, videos, text suggestions, book journals
- A Facebook group for networking and school support
From
£1500
with a discount for small schools
+VAT
To book the programme, or to find out more, get in touch today.
Get in touch
We will run more online training dates, with increased capacity, next academic year, following the EEF trial completion.
What does the limited-time package include?
Training
Two full-day online training days for a School Coordinator and two teachers or TAs.
Support
Two online support meetings with an FFT Literacy Advisor to support the development of practice (60 mins each).
Guides
Digital and printed copies of Practical, Management, Strategies and Planning Guides, along with copies of FFT's 'A Selection of Short Stories'.
Resources
Exclusive access to an online portal containing video examples, planning for various year groups, text suggestions and supporting resources.
Find out more about Reciprocal Reading
Alternatively you can phone us on 01446 776262 (option 5) or email reciprocalreading@fft.org.uk
Find out more about our current EEF trial