Secondary School Pilot Programme

 

Building a Reading Culture in Secondary Schools
Whiteknights English Hub is proud to be part of the government’s secondary school pilot. Reading is the gateway to learning and a key factor in pupils’ academic success and well-being.
From the 2025/26 academic year, the Department for Education (DfE) is expanding the English Hubs programme to support secondary schools. Schools will benefit from collaboration with English Hubs, associate secondary schools, and an expert advisory group of practitioners, school leaders, and reading researchers.
What the Pilot Offers

The pilot aims to help secondary schools:

  • Make reading a whole-school priority.
  • Provide evidence-based support for pupils with reading needs.
  • Collaborate with primary schools to share expertise and embed robust systems for identifying and supporting readers.
  • Every school is at a different stage in developing reading strategies, and the pilot is designed to provide support tailored to each school’s needs.
Who Can Apply

Priority funding is given to state-funded secondary schools that meet two or more of the following:

  • High number of Year 7 pupils below KS2 reading expectations.
  • Disadvantaged pupils’ KS4 attainment below the national average.
  • High proportion of pupils eligible for pupil premium.
  • Large numbers of priority groups (e.g., EAL, FSM, travellers).
  • High proportion of pupils with SEND (SEN support or EHCP).
  • Reading identified as a development area by Ofsted.
  • Staff leading reading initiatives are new to their role.
     
Regional Improvement for Standards and Excellence (RISE)

The universal service, delivered through English Hubs, helps all schools:

  • Access best practice and DfE hubs.
  • Connect with other schools for peer-to-peer support.
  • Share knowledge, innovation, and expertise.
Resource Funding for Catch-Up Programmes

Schools can apply for up to £3,300 in funding to support pupils’ reading needs. Funding is awarded following a reading review and is subject to approval.

Eligible uses include:

  • Comprehension and fluency support tools.
  • Reading assessments for groups of pupils, including training.
  • Diagnostic tools to identify specific reading needs, with training.
  • Phonics programmes for pupils requiring decoding support, including handbooks and guidance.

Please note:

  • Funding is for resources that directly support reading interventions.

  • Reading books can only be purchased if part of an approved catch-up programme.