Essex Research School update - 26 January 2026

Levelling the Playing Field: Whole-School Strategies for Reading Success

In secondary schools today, unequal access to the curriculum often stems from gaps in students’ reading skills. In Levelling the Playing Field: Whole-School Strategies for Reading Success, Sarah-Louise Johnston argues that literacy must be a shared responsibility across all subjects, not just English, to ensure every learner can access the full curriculum and achieve their potential.

Drawing on evidence from the EEF’s 'Improving Literacy in Secondary Schools' guidance, the article outlines how explicitly teaching reading comprehension strategies, selecting and sequencing complex texts, and embedding literacy practices across departments can close the disadvantage gap and improve outcomes for all pupils. If your school is committed to equity and academic success, this whole-school approach to reading will resonate.

Read the full article here: RS Network | Levelling the Playing Field: Whole-School Strategies for reading success