The Spotlight
Films to support primary curriculum
Welcome to The Spotlight, our termly professional development resource designed for primary colleagues.
Each edition shines a light on a key teaching theme, showing how high-quality texts can inspire lessons and deepen pupils’ knowledge. We bring together a hand-picked selection of high-impact videos from our content library, chosen for their relevance to the term’s focus and their practical value in the classroom. Each video offers clear guidance to support thoughtful curriculum design and confident, knowledge-rich teaching, helping you turn insight into action.
Spring Term 2026
This term, the spotlight is on…
bringing the curriculum to life through narrative.
We explore:
How can high-quality texts engage pupils, spark curiosity and deepen their knowledge across the curriculum?
About the term
This term, The Spotlight focuses on the power of narrative to bring the curriculum to life. The selected videos highlight how thoughtfully chosen texts can inspire curiosity, enrich pupils’ understanding, and provide practical strategies for embedding reading across subjects.
Films to watch
1
Begin with
‘The Reading Deficit’ to understand the current state of reading in primary schools. In this recording, Mary Myatt shares research from Dan Willingham, Steven Pinker, and the University of Sussex, showing how high-quality texts can enable pupils of all starting points to improve comprehension and engage more deeply with their learning.
2
Move on to
‘Reading the World’ to explore the wider benefits of reading for pleasure. In this recording, Debra Myhill and Annabel Watson explain how engaging with rich narratives helps pupils learn more about themselves and the world around them, fostering curiosity and a love of learning that extends across the curriculum.
3
Continue with
‘The Reading Curriculum’ to hear Hydeh Fayaz discuss the approach taken at St Matthews C of E Primary in Birmingham. In this recording, you’ll discover how phonics provides a foundation while carefully selected texts and teaching strategies give all pupils access to challenging reading, ensuring that curiosity and knowledge develop together.
4
Choose your route
View ‘Diverse Reading in Schools’ to hear Gabrielle Cliff-Hodges and Mary Anne Wolpert discuss research on diversifying reading. Discover how sharing graphic novels, poetry, and other varied texts can broaden pupils’ perspectives, enrich understanding, and spark curiosity.
4
Or, view ‘Leading Reading’ for practical guidance from Chris Such on supporting school leaders to implement text-focused strategies that engage staff and pupils alike, helping the curriculum truly come to life through narrative.
4
Choose your route
Or, view ‘Leading Reading’ for practical guidance from Chris Such on supporting school leaders to implement text-focused strategies that engage staff and pupils alike, helping the curriculum truly come to life through narrative.