Literacy intervention programme: empowering pupils
At Action Tutoring, we know that a robust foundation in English opens the door to academic achievement, improved confidence, and life opportunities.
Literacy programme interventions are proven, targeted methods of support that help close the attainment gap and equip pupils with essential reading and writing skills.
What is a literacy intervention programme?
A literacy intervention, or tutoring, programme is a structured approach to providing extra support to pupils who are behind in English. The aim is to identify gaps in learning, offer targeted tutoring to address these gaps, and help pupils reach the expected levels of attainment for their age group.
For school leaders and teachers, these interventions are an essential tool in raising attainment, especially for pupils who are facing disadvantage. With tailored support, these pupils can progress faster and more confidently, boosting their literacy skills and overall learning experience.
Action Tutoring’s role in literacy interventions
At Action Tutoring, we specialise in providing high-quality, targeted English support for pupils in both primary and secondary schools. Our programmes are designed to complement your school’s existing provision, offering additional personalised attention that can make all the difference for pupils who are falling behind.
Through our team of trained volunteer tutors, we work closely with schools to deliver tailored tutoring sessions that are aligned with the national curriculum. Our tutors focus on key literacy areas, such as reading comprehension, vocabulary, and writing skills, ensuring that every pupil receives the specific support they need to thrive. Another key focus of the programmes is oracy, with discussions of the texts being a key part of what we offer.
Diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) are important for making our tutoring sessions impactful and engaging for pupils. We have been diversifying the range of authors in our workbooks and think critically about which texts to include, using evidence from the education and publishing sectors to help us consider any stereotypes and prejudice arising in texts. You can read more about our curriculum here.
Primary school literacy interventions: building foundations
In primary schools, the early years are critical for developing strong literacy foundations. Our tutoring programmes focus on supporting pupils in Year 5 and Year 6, preparing them for the transition to secondary school by ensuring they can read fluently and comprehend text at the appropriate level.
By providing pupils with personalised, small-group sessions, our volunteer tutors offer a nurturing environment where children can ask questions, practice reading, and gain confidence in their literacy skills. This not only boosts their academic performance but through our diverse resources it also instils a love of reading that will benefit them for life.
You can read the curriculum guide to our primary English resources here:
Secondary school literacy interventions: bridging the gap
At the secondary level, literacy remains a key determinant of academic success. Our interventions focus on pupils in Year 7, 10 and 11, helping them to develop the higher-level literacy skills needed to succeed in subjects across the curriculum, as well as in GCSE exams.
You can read the curriculum guide to our secondary English resources here:
The impact of literacy interventions
Research shows that targeted support can significantly boost pupils’ reading and writing abilities, improving their overall academic performance and increasing their chances of success. At Action Tutoring, we’re proud to have a proven track record of helping disadvantaged pupils make meaningful progress in their literacy skills.
Our work is rooted in evidence, and we regularly assess the impact of our programmes to ensure that we are making a real difference. Pupils who receive our support consistently show improved reading and writing outcomes, greater confidence, and a renewed enthusiasm for learning.
The below graph shows pupils meeting expected standards in Key Stage 2 SATs in 2023:
Action Tutoring ran a smaller Year 11 English programme in 2022–23, with 75 disadvantaged pupils attending ten or more tutoring sessions. While these pupils appear to have achieved a similar pass rate as previous years, Action Tutoring judged the sample to be too small to carry out robust comparative analysis with the national pass rate. Action Tutoring continues to evaluate its Year 11 English programme.
Partner with Action Tutoring to close the attainment gap at your school
If you are a school leader or teacher looking for effective ways to support your pupils’ literacy development, Action Tutoring can help. Our programmes are designed to complement your school’s efforts, providing expert, targeted support that can transform outcomes for disadvantaged pupils.
By partnering with us, you’re giving your pupils the chance to unlock their full potential and succeed in their education and beyond.
In this short video, Deputy Headteacher Jenny Stroughair (of Walkergate Primary School in Newcastle) explains the changes she’s observed among pupils receiving English tutoring:
Interested in high impact, low cost tutoring provision?
To find out more about how Action Tutoring can work with your school, you can get in touch below:
