January is a critical point in the school year for pupils who struggle with reading. After the Christmas break, illness, and disrupted routines, many secondary students return having lost fluency and confidence — particularly those already below age-related expectations.

The Education Endowment Foundation highlights that effective reading interventions should be explicit, systematic, and evidence-based, with phonics remaining a crucial foundation for older struggling readers. Generic literacy strategies alone are often not enough.

For secondary pupils, age-appropriate phonics is essential. Reading interventions must avoid infantilising materials, build confidence, and allow pupils to see measurable progress through regular assessment — all key factors identified by the EEF as improving outcomes.

January and February offer a valuable window to reassess reading levels, establish clear baselines, and implement targeted support early enough to make a meaningful difference before exam pressures increase.

At Read Revive, we support schools with structured, age-appropriate reading interventions aligned with EEF guidance — helping older pupils rebuild confidence, access the curriculum, and move forward as readers.

https://educationendowmentfoundation.org.uk/education-evidence/guidance-reports/literacy-ks3-ks4