Reading fluency can be described as the bridge between decoding and comprehension (EEF, 2022). It’s a vital part of students reading AND understanding well. But what could that look like in the classroom? Here’s what we do at TAL for fluency interventions:. A thread 🧵.

Today was a JOY. Meeting our newest cohort in their perfect uniforms, outlining our expectations and supporting students to meet them and chatting to parents and carers about any last minute queries and jitters. Year 7: we are ready for you! 💜.

RT @HiCatAteMyTweet: This is a really good thread about how some of the year 7s may be feeling this week. Be caring, be explicit and hold t….

RT @esmeteaches: Brilliant advice 👇🏼working at a brand new school, with only a Y7 cohort last year, really cemented the importance of getti….

10. Keep expectations high from day one - set out your stall, explain the rationale behind why things are they way they are, and hold them to it in a supportive manner.

9. Warmth. Show them you care and that you want to succeed. Greet them with a smile and a ‘good morning’. Help them feel at ease with praise and supportive reminders.

8. They’ll be used to the routines of one, maybe two teachers from their Y6 experience. Ensure routines are both shared and streamlined. Practise these, over and over to embed them. All staff need to have these same expectations and routines to help students succeed.

7. Achieving EXS in writing in Year 6 is actually a lot more complex than you may expect. Look at writing samples and checklists for this. Use this as a springboard when modelling grammar and sentence structures. Have high expectations around writing.

6. If you’re teaching Year 7 - look over the primary school curriculum, especially when something was last taught or revisited. They will have been taught it, but it maybe something they covered in Year 3 and not beyond. Activate prior knowledge and fill any gaps.

5. The jump to secondary can be an anxious time for parents/carers too. Open, honest communication channels need to be established to ease this transition.

4. Primary and secondary are both caring, nurturing environments but in different ways. Spell out from the onset that you care for these students and tell them how you’re keeping them safe.

3. They’re all coming from different environments where, although also high, they’ve had different experiences of expectations. Set your expectations out early and guide them to achieve success.

2. ‘Can I go onto the next page please?’ is something they’ve NEVER said at primary. They’re asking because there’s so many new things to them, that they’re worried this is new too. Be gentle and supportive when this comes up and address it to the whole class.

1. New year 7s want to get it right. They’re a whole mix of emotions, but ultimately they just want to do the right thing. They’ll need reminders, praise and the line holding, but deep down they are trying.

As thousands of year 7s begin their journeys tomorrow, here’s some thoughts from someone who is a former year 6 teacher, current secondary school teacher and transition coordinator 🧵🪡.

RT @HaleDonal: 🧵 This is a bit of a "pinch me" moment. Seeing your name, your book on Waterstones, Foyles, Amazon. If you pre-order Lead….

2025/26:.Ask lots of questions. Engage with research. Buy that coat. Make plans on an evening. See friends. Focus on routines and perfect them. Go to the sea. Breathe. Wear something that makes you happy. Live mark in the lesson. Be open to learn. Share expertise. Enjoy the ride.

RT @TrinityAcademyL: We are looking forward to welcoming our brand new Year 7 students into the academy on Tuesday for Family Induction day….

RT @queensofbravo:

Bologna is my new fave city 💛

Also, Bologna should be on EVERYONE’s radar. The BEST food I’ve ever eaten in my entire life.