Helping children
choose to read.
A six-week, group reading engagement programme for Upper KS2.
We saw a big change in pupil engagement and perception of reading.See more results →
The problem
The engagement gap
Schools already invest heavily in teaching and encouraging children to read: phonics, comprehension, libraries, digital reading schemes and more. As a result, most children leave primary school able to read.
And yet, only 36.1% of children aged 8-18 enjoy reading in their free time.
Source: National Literacy Trust, 2026
Reading disengagement isn't new, but in a world of constant digital distraction, choosing to pick up a book has never been harder.
For many children, especially those who find reading challenging, it can be difficult to disconnect reading from school, from success and failure. So they avoid it. Less practice weakens fluency and comprehension, which erodes confidence, motivation and, in time, the resilience to keep going.
Upper Key Stage 2 is a crucial transition point for reading. Habits are not yet fixed. There's a genuine opportunity for children to take ownership of their relationship with reading before disengagement has the chance to settle in and follow them into secondary school and beyond.
Reading Remedy was built to close the gap between being able to read and choosing to read.
Not a traditional intervention
“A new way to look at reading.”
Reading Remedy is wellbeing-led. External delivery brings a fresh face into the classroom, so reading can be experienced within school, but differently. The group dynamic of the sessions is central to challenging negative mindsets: it benefits reluctant readers, but avid readers are stretched too. Through discussion and activities, pupils look at reading from a new angle and discover its value on their own terms, then take it beyond the classroom into their spare time.
Who is it for?
Every child, every ability.
Pupils Lacking Stamina or Confidence
Avid Readers in Comfortable Ruts
Schools Building a Reading Culture
The programme in brief
Across six adaptable 1.5 hour sessions, pupils:
- reflect on their existing relationship with reading
- work through their individual barriers
- discuss and explore a wide range of reading materials
- learn how to independently find and choose books that hold their interest
- set their own sustainable reading goals
Evidence
83%
of pupils improved their relationship with reading
95%
met their personal reading pledge
37%
exceeded their reading goal
Based on pupil feedback from the Brereton Primary School pilot.
Statistics are based on pupil responses to the final reflection; response numbers varied by question.
I have started reading for 10 minutes every night...I tried to do something and I actually did it. I am going to read more and more.
Why choose Reading Remedy
01
Group delivery (whole-class or merged cohorts)
No setting, no pull-out, no additional planning burden on class teachers.
02
Low pressure and inclusive
Accessible to all abilities - including reluctant readers and pupils with SEND.
03
Introductory rate available
Reduced pricing for early-adopter schools.