Support for Secondary Schools
KEY STAGE 3 READING: SUPPORT OFFER 2026-27
We understand that every secondary school is at a different stage in developing their reading strategy, and our KS3 programme is designed to support schools at whatever point they are at in their journey.
Many of our students find reading to be an overwhelming challenge. For some pupils these reading needs can be persistent and/or emerge later, when the curriculum becomes more challenging. Teachers in the secondary classroom need the knowledge and resources to support students in an age-appropriate way. How do we address this effectively within the secondary context?
KS3 Programme Aims
- To support secondary schools to take a whole school approach to improving reading and attainment.
- To support secondary schools to improve outcomes for KS3 pupils with reading needs.
- To increase knowledge on supporting reading in secondary schools, rooted in the evidence-base.
What We Offer
Cross-phase collaboration
- Opportunities for primary and secondary schools to collaborate, share expertise and embed robust processes to identify, diagnose and support the reading needs of secondary pupils
- Support the transition from primary to secondary school
Leadership Conferences
- FREE events held across our region
- Hear from experts in the field of teenage reading and secondary literacy
- Find out more about current and future policy, delivery and strategy for teenage reading
- Share your views, ideas, best practice and the challenges that secondaries face
- Engage with local case studies
KS3 Reading Reviews
- A fully-funded leadership development day in secondary schools focusing on improving reading and attainment
- Working alongside Raising Standards and Teaching and Learning teams, we identify effective reading strategies and areas for further development
Medium Level Support
- Funded work groups and online training for KS3 leaders to develop reading proficiency for all pupils
Intensive Support
- A bespoke, partnership programme
- Between three and six fully-funded days with a Secondary Literacy Specialist to strategically develop KS3 reading
- Particular focus given to accelerating reading progress for struggling readers
- Schools receiving intensive support can apply for resource funding of up to £6000 to support effective implementation of KS3 diagnostic assessment, reading intervention training and resourcing.
Refer your Secondary School to our Hub programme
Additional Support Available
FFT Unlocking Reading
The Unlocking Reading programme is designed to build confidence, capability and knowledge for schools to support secondary-aged pupils with reading needs. It has been developed by FFT and Royal Holloway, University of London in partnership with a network of schools and other academics.
Unlocking Reading | Support Struggling Readers | FFT
DfE Supporting all readers in secondary school
A short course for secondary school staff and leaders to support readers at all levels.
Supporting all readers in secondary school - GOV.UK
National Literacy Trust
The NLT offers resources, research, best practice, professional development and news to support literacy provision in secondary schools and alternative provision settings.
Secondary | National Literacy Trust
Our Brochure
 |
Refer your secondary school to our Hub programme
Further information on the national English Hubs programme
