Phonics & Reading Intervention Resources for KS3

The UK Government’s Reading Framework (2023) stresses that KS3 pupils who are not reading fluently need urgent, high-quality interventions to close the gap as quickly as possible. This requires providing intensive, focused support to help them catch up. Despite the growing need for resources to boost reading in KS3, finding books that are at an accessible reading level, without being too young in content can be difficult. We have collated the very best resources available for struggling secondary school readers to help schools support students in making accelerated progress with high-quality, perfectly suited books to meet individual readers’ needs. 

These Phonics & Reading Intervention Resources for KS3 include:

• Age-appropriate phonics programmes tailored for secondary students:
  Read Write Inc. Fresh Start / Phonic Books / Reading Stars Achieve Phonics
  
  Specifically designed for key stage 3 readers struggling with phonics, these age-appropriate books offer decodable stories and non-fiction to build essential reading skills. Ideal for pupils aged 11+ who need extra support to catch up and achieve their full potential. If you choose to order your scheme books from Badger Learning, we’ll supply them fitted with free protective jackets, so they last longer.
  
  
• Rapid Plus
  
  Developed in consultation with Dee Reid, co-author of Catch Up Literacy, Rapid Plus is a series of finely levelled books for SEN, EAL and struggling readers at Key Stage 3.
  
  
• Penguin Readers
  
  These graded readers are the perfect support for learning English as a foreign language or can be used with struggling readers to improve literacy skills. Penguin Readers offer accessible, engaging books tailored to 8 levels. With a wide range of age-appropriate stories and simplified texts, these books help build confidence, improve comprehension, and develop reading fluency. Featuring classic literature, modern fiction, and non-fiction, Penguin Readers make reading enjoyable and achievable, supporting students on their journey to becoming stronger, more independent readers.
  
  
• Accelerated Reader™
  
  Accelerated Reader (AR) is a powerful tool to help KS3 students who have fallen behind in reading catch up and regain confidence. By providing personalised reading recommendations, engaging quizzes, and real-time progress tracking, it encourages students to read more, develop comprehension skills, and build fluency at their own pace. With its structured approach and age-appropriate books, AR makes reading more accessible and enjoyable, ensuring that every student has the opportunity to improve and succeed.
  
  For schools that are using Renaissance Learning’s Accelerated Reader™ programme, we are able to offer a range of quizzed and levelled book collections to order easily and to enhance the AR library in your school. In addition to the book collections, we have hundreds of hi-lo titles for struggling and reluctant readers that can be purchased individually, view the full list here.
  
  
• Badger Learning Hi-Lo Collections
  
  For over twenty years, Badger Learning has been dedicated to helping readers who are behind in reading catch up by providing engaging hi-lo books that prioritise inclusivity and accessibility. Our dyslexia-friendly fonts, age-appropriate content, and gripping stories across various genres support struggling readers in building confidence and improving comprehension. With over 40 levelled series, many assessed by Accelerated Reader™ and Catch Up® Literacy, our resources are designed to meet the specific needs of students working to catch up and develop a love for reading.

Read our blog, ‘What to do When KS3 Students Can’t Read Fluently’ for step-by-step strategies to support struggling KS3 readers. From revisiting phonics to improving fluency and comprehension, we’ll guide you through proven interventions and resources to help students catch up and develop a love for reading.