How EasyReader Education Supports the UK Reading Framework
For secondary school students, reading is more than just a skill — it's the gateway to accessing the curriculum, engaging with knowledge and developing independent learning strategies. However, many students in secondary school — particularly those with Special Educational Needs (SEN), dyslexia, or an Education Health and Care Plan (EHCP) — can find reading traditional printed text difficult.
The UK Government’s Department for Education published The Reading Framework in July 2023. This document is “based on teachers’ experiences, classroom observations, assessments and research, as well as advice from and the contributions of experts.”
While the UK Government’s Reading Framework provides key guidance for literacy instruction, implementing effective reading strategies at the secondary school level requires a tailored approach, particularly for students who face barriers to reading due to dyslexia, vision impairment or other additional learning requirements. In addition, all teachers can identify students in their classes who might benefit from alternative ways to read, because they simply struggle to read or have problems focussing on the printed word in it traditional format. This is where EasyReader Education comes in! It gives schools, teaching and SEND staff a way to offer reading material in a range of accessible formats, so young people can choose to read and learn in ways that are accessible for them.
EasyReader Education takes a whole-school approach to accessible reading, it ensures that every student has the tools they need to engage with books and learning materials, in a way that suits them. Schools can provide alternative reading formats to any student who may struggle with traditional text, without requiring a formal diagnosis of dyslexia, ADHD, or other print impairments.
Crucially, EasyReader Education links students to extensive libraries and collections of accessible books, and allows them to login and read these on any device using the EasyReader App with enhanced features specifically developed for education setting. Given the long waiting lists and high costs associated with diagnoses of dyslexia, ADD and ASD, or the many other reasons reading and learning may be impacted; EasyReader Education offers a practical, budget-friendly way for schools to remove reading barriers and empower every student who might benefit from additional support.
Designed specifically for students who need access to accessible book formats — such as audio, text to speech and digital content — young people can use EasyReader to read independently with customised colours, enlarged text, enhanced views and dyslexia-friendly fonts. By integrating digital readers and talking books free into secondary classrooms, schools can ensure that learners with additional reading requirements are fully supported to read independently in ways that are accessible to them.
How EasyReader Education Aligns with the DofE Reading Framework for Secondary School Learners
1. Supporting Reading Fluency
By Key Stage 3 (starting in year 7, when students are age 11), fluency is critical for understanding complex texts, from Shakespearean plays to scientific reports. Students who struggle with decoding and reading fluency often fall behind in comprehension.
EasyReader Education enables learners to customise the way the text is presented to them. They can choose the font – including dyslexia-friendly fonts - letter sizes, line spacing and even the number of lines presented to them on a page which can help enhance focus. Readers can also choose the colours of the text and the background they prefer, which can help reduce symptoms of visual stress or Irlen Syndrome, and so can help reduce discomfort and improve reading fluency.
Books in text-to-speech (TTS) formats can be read in EasyReader App using both audio and visual reading. It enables students to read along with audio, with the lines and words highlighted on screen as the text is read aloud by the EasyReader App. This way, students can read from more complicated texts, and are empowered to read books which are more aligned with themes and vocabulary appropriate to their age group. This read-along feature can also help readers develop a steady reading pace, as EasyReader App allows them to adjust the audio speed, so they can follow along with words on the reading screen, to read at a pace that is comfortable to them.
2. Reading for Meaning: Comprehension and Analytical Thinking
In secondary school, learners move beyond decoding and focus on deeper comprehension strategies in preparation for exams. Reading in subjects like English, history, and geography requires critical engagement with texts, making accessibility vital for students with dyslexia or other SEND requirements.
EasyReader Education enhances comprehension by allowing students to highlight key passages, bookmark sections, and search key words within texts. This supports a close analysis of literary works, textbooks, and exam materials which students can quickly reference later, in class and at home.
3. Access to Subject Content Across the National Curriculum
At secondary school, reading isn’t just confined to English lessons. Here, students engage with extensive texts in subjects across the curriculum. For learners with print disabilities, this can prove to be much more challenging, and as the workload increases, it may even become overwhelming.
EasyReader Education allows teachers to share reading material through platforms such as Google Classroom and Microsoft Education, which students can read with accessibility features in EasyReader. This helps ensure all subjects in your education setting are more accessible to the students with dyslexia, vision impairments and other additional reading requirements.
4. Supporting SEND Learners & Struggling Readers
Many young people who did not develop strong reading foundations in primary school require additional literacy support. Those with dyslexia, other SEND reading requirements or an EHCP often experience barriers in accessing the curriculum due to reading difficulties.
EasyReader Education is specifically designed for these learners. It offers ways to read that are accessible to young people with dyslexia and other reading requirements, inlcuding customisable fonts, dyslexia-friendly background colours, and adjustable text settings to support reading engagement. Text-to-speech and online highlights which are an integral part of the EasyReader experience help students read along to the text that’s being read aloud, to reinforce their understanding.
5. Preparing Students for GCSEs and National Assessments
Once secondary school begins, reading skills are closely linked to exam success. GCSE preparation, which begins in Year 9, requires structured reading strategies. Students must navigate textbooks, analyse exam-style questions, and access revision materials independently.
EasyReader Education helps students engage confidently with curriculum-based texts, offering support tools such as word lookup and text search functions, along with notes and bookmarking features that can enhance their revision process.
6. Encouraging Reading for Pleasure
For secondary school students, reading should not just be about academics – it should also be enjoyable! However, reluctant readers often disengage from reading for pleasure due to format limitations or accessibility barriers.
In their 2024 report, the National Literacy Trust identified that reading for pleasure plays a crucial part in literacy development and overall success. It found that young people who enjoy reading read faster, have better academic outcomes, and even have improved wellbeing, confidence and cultural awareness.
EasyReader Education encourages learners to explore books independently, offering access to thousands of talking books and audio books free through accessible libraries in the UK which include RNIB Reading Services and Calibre Audio. The ability to synchronise book lists across devices – a helpful feature exclusive to EasyReader Education – ensures students can access and enjoy books both at school and at home.
As an example: students can read a book through EasyReader App on their Windows laptop in class, they can pick up where they left off and continue to read the same book using EasyReader App on their smartphone as they travel home on the school bus; they can then continue to read it at home on another device such as an iPad. This flexibility to read comfortably – with their preferred visual and audio reading settings automatically displayed on each device – encourages engagement in reading for pleasure, by making books and reading accessible to young people who may have not enjoyed reading previously.
7. SENCO & SEND Leadership: Implementing Accessible Reading
For SEND teams, SENCOs, and secondary school SLTs, ensuring accessibility in reading instruction needs to be a priority. Traditional printed books often exclude students with dyslexia or EHCPs, requiring schools to source adapted materials manually.
EasyReader Education simplifies this process, it offers an easy connection to libraries of accessible texts, including RNIB Bookshare Education Collection, which contains all textbooks for the National Curriculum. EasyReader Education ensures students with additional reading needs can access the same curriculum reading materials as their peers, to read in ways that are accessible to them.
Providing the tools to read in a way that is accessible can have a profound impact on students' education and wellbeing. In 2011, the Accessible Resources Pilot Project study found that with accessible content and the assistive technology to read it:- 56% of students improved their reading
- 71% improved their level of achievement
- 68% improved their confidence
- 100% of teachers saved time by having a central repository of accessible texts.
8. Integration with RNIB Bookshare for Accessibility
One of the most valuable features of EasyReader Education is its connection to RNIB Bookshare, which provides free educational books in accessible formats for students with print disabilities.
By connecting EasyReader Education with the RNIB Bookshare Education Collection, students with dyslexia, additional reading requirements and special educational needs have access to structured reading support. It allows them to engage with school texts in formats that suit their needs.
9. Developing Independent Learning & Research Skills
Secondary education empowers students to become independent learners. As secondary school students move toward GCSE preparation, the ability to engage with research materials, textbooks, and extended reading is crucial.
With EasyReader Education, students who are able to access the reading materials they need in accessible formats are more able to independently research, take notes, and bookmark the key areas for revision.
Using RNIB Bookshare and use EasyReader App to study and read with accessibility features which make reading comfortable and accessible to them, young people gain autonomy in their own reading and learning practices. This helps students in secondary education to develop independent reading skills, critical thinking skills and self-guided learning strategies, which can only improve their learning outcomes.
Why Your School Should Integrate EasyReader Education
For secondary school teams - including the SLT, teaching, literacy and SEND teams - implementing accessible reading strategies is essential to help readers with additional requirements navigate complex texts, subject materials and prepare for their exams.
By integrating EasyReader Education, your school will provide students with reading materials in a range digital formats, along with the means to read them. The additional features EasyReader Education offers your students will remove barriers to reading and learning.
EasyReader Education helps ensure learners with dyslexia, vision impairments or other additional reading needs have the tools they need to read independently, so they can thrive throughout their secondary education, to confidently move on into further education and the workplace.
Schools striving to implement the UK Government’s Reading Framework must prioritise reading accessibility at the secondary level, to ensure more young people receive accessible literacy support.
To learn more about EasyReader Education, visit Dolphin Computer Access
Blogs and Articles for Further Reading
The SENCO's Secret Weapon
How EasyReader helped me achieve great GCSE results: Eva's Blog
Reasons to introduce accessible reading
How accessible books enhance learning
Is your school equipped to handle rising EHCP numbers?
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