Over a quarter of 11-year-olds in England leave primary school without meeting the expected standard in reading (DfE, 2023). By KS3, struggling readers risk falling even further behind, affecting their confidence, academic success, and future opportunities. Poor reading ability not only impacts English lessons but hinders progress across the curriculum, widening the attainment gap and limiting life chances. Without intervention, struggling and reluctant readers are at risk of disengaging from education altogether.

This blog will explore what the current reading trends are among young people, why many KS2 and KS3 students struggle to meet expected standards, how teachers can implement practical, evidence-based strategies to support them, and where they can find resources for this.