What is a free reader?

The term ‘free reader’ usually refers to a child who has finished the reading scheme used in their school, and is now allowed to choose from a wider selection of non-scheme books.

They won’t necessarily have read every single book in the reading scheme – it’s common to skip titles or even whole stages as they progress – but will have worked through the levels to a point where their teacher feels their reading skills and comprehension are solid.

At this stage, they’re able to tackle longer and more complex books, both fiction and non-fiction.

There’s no universally recognised point at which a child becomes a free reader. It will depend on their own reading level and the school’s practices. For example:
 

• Some schools allow children to become free readers once they have finished the foundation levels of a reading scheme (such as Oxford Reading Tree stage 9).
• Some require them to have finished the entire reading scheme, including the upper levels (for example, up to and including Oxford Reading Tree stage 16).
• Some allow children to combine reading schemes and free reading, choosing one reading scheme book and one title of their own choice at a time.

Just as the definition of a free reader varies, there are no set rules about what children can and should read once they reach this stage. They’re likely to be reading longer, more complex chapter books, but these could vary from Rainbow Magic to Harry Potter.

The National Curriculum does state that Key Stage 2 children need to read from a variety of texts and genres, including fiction, poetry, plays, non-fiction and reference books. Some of these will be tackled in class, but the selection of free reading books that they can choose from should reflect the breadth of material they’re expected to be tackling.

Again, this varies. Some schools are happy for children to read whatever they like, and to choose titles from their own bookshelves or the public library. Others ask them to choose their books from a selection within the classroom (perhaps linked to the topic they’re working on), or from the school library.

Children are usually taught the skills they need to choose a book they’ll enjoy, for example:

• Looking at the front cover
• Reading the blurb
• Reading a small section of text.

In the initial stages of free reading, an adult will usually help them to choose books that are of the right level, but as they get better at self-selecting, their teacher may just ask to see the book before giving them the go-ahead to read it.

There’s no statutory requirement for teachers, Teaching Assistants or helpers to hear your child read at school, and it does tend to happen less in Key Stage 2 as more children move onto free reading. In some schools, children will still be heard regularly, but in others, it may be infrequent – maybe only once or twice a term.

Teachers will still keep an eye on your child’s reading progress, however, through activities such as guided reading (reading in small groups of a similar ability), using reference books in class and reading comprehension. If you’re worried that your child isn’t being listened to enough, have a word with their teacher.

You might breathe a sigh of relief at no longer having to listen to reading scheme books, but it’s important that you do still hear your child read at home, even if it's only a page or two at a time.

Listening to your child read helps you ensure that they’re not glossing over new or tricky words, and that they understand what they’re reading. You can establish that by asking them questions such as:

• What kind of book is this?
• What has happened so far?
• What do you think might happen next?
• Where is the story set?
• Who is your favourite character, and why?
• How would you like the story to end?
• Can you explain what this word means?
• Who would you recommend this book to?

Some schools also ask children to write a short book review once they’ve finished a title to show that they’ve understood the story before they move into their next choice.