Assessing and Tutoring with Sarah

Another Zoom talk! This time with ND360 Hub to talk more about the National Year of Reading. Anyone can come along, just scan the QR Code!

It’s my pleasure to announce I’ll be attending the NPCV Dyslexia Workshop on Zoom on Thursday.

In this parent-friendly talk, I will explore what we can do to help our children and students prepare to become better readers. Delving into the science of reading, and drawing on 40 years’ worth of psychological and educational research, I’ll outline how the brain learns to read and how we can develop those processes. I’ll also share what can cause challenges with reading, and what parents and teachers can do to support early literacy and intervene early. You’ll come away from the session with practical ideas to use at home, what to say to teachers when you’re worried, and where you can find ongoing support for reading during this, the National Year of Reading!

Book here 👇
https://npcv.co.uk/book-a-service%2Fevent/ola/services/dyslexia-workshop-online

This International Women’s Day, we celebrate the power of education and reading as tools of liberation. 📚✨
For generations, access to knowledge has helped women challenge barriers, amplify their voices, and shape their own futures. Every book read, every idea explored, and every story shared strengthens the path toward equality and opportunity.
When women have the freedom to learn, read, and think critically, they don’t just transform their own lives, they transform communities and generations to come.
Here’s to the power of knowledge, the courage to question, and the women who continue to write their own stories.

Something you may not know about me is that I love Sci-Fi, especially !

For the past two years I have been learning the art of sabre fighting with Combat Academy. The joining of mind and body is fascinating, both in the fantasy world of Star Wars, and in the practice of martial arts.

So, for the National Year of Reading, here's me reading into the brain while practising elements from the Form. And yes, I held that balance for about 5 minutes to get the shot.

Happy World Book Day! 📚

Books open doors to new ideas, perspectives, and possibilities. They help us learn from the past, understand the present, and imagine the future. Whether it's a novel that sparks creativity, a biography that inspires, or a textbook that builds knowledge, every page has the power to educate and transform.

Today is a great reminder to celebrate the value of reading and the role it plays in lifelong learning. Let’s continue to encourage curiosity, critical thinking, and a love for knowledge—one book at a time.

Open a book, open your mind.
What better way to celebrate the National Year of Reading than to participate in this year's World Book Day! World Book Day is all about encouraging children to read through fun, providing resources, books, and events available to all. Please check out their website to see all the amazing resources they have, from £1 books, tokens for free books and audiobooks, webinars and more! https://www.worldbookday.com/

Reading is a fundamental skill that requires practice and patience. It expands minds and fuels creativity! Go to the link in my bio to read more on Active Reading and to claim your free guide to getting the most out of your reading!

If you enjoy reading and enjoy free books, consider joining your local library and supporting them.
They also have a wide selection of audiobooks too!
(No affiliation with either app, just like them!)

Comment what books you're currently reading!
I thought to celebrate the National Year of Reading, I would share some of my personal favourites. Reading expands minds, builds confidence and fuels creativity. Yet with more distractions and less time, reading for pleasure is in decline across many groups.
The National Year of Reading 2026 is here to change that, by reconnecting reading with everyday culture.
Read more about the NYOR and my pledge here: https://assessingandtutoringwithsarah.co.uk/national-year-of-reading/

I’ll be attending the NPCV meeting on Thursday 5th February with a talk called “Building Strong Readers”. This meeting is offered to members of the Northamptonshire Parent Carer Voices.
In this parent-friendly talk, I will explore what we can do to help our children and students prepare to become better readers.
Delving into the science of reading, and drawing on 40 years’ worth of psychological and educational research, I’ll outline how the brain learns to read and how we can develop those processes.
I’ll also share what can cause challenges with reading, and what parents and teachers can do to support early literacy and intervene early.
You’ll come away from the session with practical ideas to use at home, what to say to teachers when you’re worried, and where you can find ongoing support for reading during this, the National Year of Reading!

I had the pleasure of attending the West Northants Voices in Partnership (WNPV) Annual General Meeting and SEND Market last Friday (16th January). There were opportunities for SEND service providers to showcase their services and products so that parents and carers could see what's available in the county, or surrounding areas, and connect with them.
This meant service providers could also connect and signpost parents and carers to the relevant service, and so that we could meet potential clients and tell them what we offer. This also was an opportunity for myself to show, and tell more about what I do, as I'm not only a teacher, and not only an assessor.
Head on over to https://www.wnvp.co.uk/ to see more of what WNVP and how they can support you with resources and help.

2026 is National Year of Reading! I am supporting to encourage people to on their passions and hobbies.
The National Year of Reading 2026 will come to life through a diverse calendar of activity. Each moment is designed to bring people together, spark imagination and make reading a part of everyday life across the UK. Read more about the campaign at: https://goallin.org.uk/

The National Year of Reading 2026 is a UK-wide campaign designed to help more people rediscover the joy of reading.