What is the ‘Reading Pathways’ Intervention?

Oakfield Reading Pathways is a progressive, holistic intervention that develops reading alongside emotional regulation, confidence and communication.

Structured decoding, blending, fluency, vocabulary, and comprehension activities equip pupils with the skills needed to become increasingly independent readers. Engaging, age-respectful stories provide a meaningful context for practising and applying each new sound.

The intervention also helps pupils to:

• recognise and describe emotions
• notice physical warning signs
• use familiar Zones of Regulation–aligned colours
• manage frustration, anxiety, and mistakes
• communicate positively and repair relationships
• develop resilience and empathy
• transfer strategies into lessons, home, and everyday life

Practical tools give pupils clear actions to use when reading or emotions become difficult. Skills are introduced gradually, practised repeatedly and revisited across the programme.

“Reading Pathways supports the whole child—equipping pupils not only to read with greater confidence, but also to understand themselves, regulate their responses and keep moving forward when learning feels difficult.”

 

Exemplar Booklets:

Don D: Stay at the Crease is a six-week Reading Pathways intervention for KS2 and KS3 pupils who need additional support with decoding, reading confidence and emotional regulation. Through an engaging cricket story, pupils develop their knowledge of Set 1 sounds while building fluency, vocabulary and comprehension. Don’s experiences also help them recognise emotions, notice body signals, manage frustration, cope with mistakes and communicate positively.  Practical strategies, including RESET, THIS BALL and STEP BACK, give pupils memorable ways to manage pressure both in reading and everyday life.  The central message is simple: You cannot control every ball that comes at you—but you can control what you do next.

The Block Crew is a six-week Reading Pathways intervention for KS2 and KS3 pupils who need additional support with decoding, reading confidence and personal safety. Through an engaging urban adventure, pupils develop their knowledge of Set 1 sounds while building fluency, vocabulary and comprehension. The characters’ experiences also help pupils recognise peer pressure, assess risks, manage emotions and communicate confidently. Practical strategies help pupils pause, think, seek support from trusted adults and make safer choices in their community and online.  The central message is simple: Your choices shape your path—stop, think and choose the safest way forward.