About Fluency for All

Fluency for All is all about giving struggling readers the support they need to feel comfortable and confident with their reading skills as they start secondary school. Reading fluency bridges the gap between simply decoding words and truly understanding them - a skill that’s crucial for students’ overall learning and success across all subjects.

 

We believe our programme offers something unique. We have developed an anthology with 50 engaging fiction and non-fiction texts on topics students will likely study in school. From ancient Greek myths to the wonders of the Egyptian pyramids, these texts build reading skills and background knowledge, giving students valuable context for their wider studies.

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Every participant is paired with an older student, who receives training to provide positive, effective support in each session. This peer-led approach makes Fluency for All low-cost and manageable for schools, while still delivering excellent results.

 

In our pilot year, we’ve already seen significant success. Over 60% of students can now read at a speed that allows them to access most of the curriculum, and we’ve seen a big drop in those reading below 100 words per minute. Plus, feedback has been incredibly positive from reading leads, students and peer tutors who have noticed gains in fluency, comprehension, and confidence.

 

We’re now in our second year, with six new schools joining the project. In 2025, we’re excited to expand even further and welcome more schools to the program. If you’re interested in joining us next year, please fill out the form below - we’d love to hear from you!

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This project is supported by funding from SHINE Trust, whose backing through a successful bid has enabled us to support children across the North East to develop their reading fluency and confidence as they transition into secondary school.