New DfE Training Empowers Secondary Schools to Support All Readers

The Department for Education (DfE) has launched a new, evidence-based training programme designed to equip secondary school staff and leaders with practical strategies to support reading development across all subjects and student abilities.

Released on 28 April 2025, the "Supporting All Readers in Secondary School" course offers tailored pathways for both classroom practitioners and school leaders. Developed by Professor Jessie Ricketts of Royal Holloway, University of London, in collaboration with experienced educators, the training is grounded in current research and aligns with the DfE's Reading Framework.

The course comprises a series of short videos accompanied by guidance documents and workbooks, facilitating reflection and note-taking. It can be completed individually or in groups within approximately one hour. The training emphasises the importance of reading in secondary education and provides actionable strategies to foster a strong reading culture within schools.

Key components of the training include:

• Understanding the theoretical framework of reading development.
• Identifying and addressing diverse reading needs among students.
• Implementing seven core strategies to support reading in the classroom.

This initiative builds upon previous research, such as Ofsted's 2022 report "Now the Whole School is Reading," which highlighted the significance of targeted support for struggling readers in secondary schools.

By providing accessible, research-informed training, the DfE aims to empower secondary educators to enhance reading proficiency among students, thereby supporting academic achievement across the curriculum.

For more information and to access the training materials, visit the official DfE publication: Supporting All Readers in Secondary School.