Learners from Disadvantaged Backgrounds

Equitable literacy instruction for every learner

Our Mission: Literacy For All

We truly believe that every pupil deserves the opportunity to succeed. Our literacy programmes, Lexia Core5® Reading for Primary and Lexia PowerUp Literacy® for Secondary, provides inclusive, accessible and engaging literacy instruction that helps pupils from disadvantaged backgrounds overcome barriers to learning.

Whether disadvantage is linked to socioeconomic challenges, disrupted schooling, or limited access to resources, we help to ensure that no learner is left behind.

KS2 children laughing together on carpet

Key benefits for Learners from Disadvantaged Backgrounds

Delivers equitable literacy instruction for every learner.
Builds confidence, motivation and engagement.
Enables independent learning through structured routines.
Bridges learning and digital divides.
Demonstrated impact on reading progress and attainment.

How we support Learners from Disadvantaged Backgrounds

Equitable access to high-quality literacy

Lexia provides all pupils, regardless of background, with structured, research-based literacy instruction.

Adaptive technology ensures each learner receives exactly the right balance of support and challenge to meet them at their level.

Building confidence and independence

Many disadvantaged pupils experience lower confidence in literacy.

Lexia’s gamification style design, progress milestones and celebration of achievement help pupils feel successful and motivated from the start to improve their confidence.

Multi-sensory, accessible design

Activities use visual, auditory and kinaesthetic learning elements to reinforce understanding.

Calm visuals and predictable routines reduce anxiety and support focus that covers all learning styles.

Removing barriers to learning

Even where home support may be limited.

Built-in scaffolding, such as audio instructions, repetition and clear feedback can help pupils access literacy independently, even where home support may be limited.

Extending opportunities beyond the classroom

Our literacy programmes can be accessed at home

The accessible nature of our literacy programmes supports the continuity of learning outside the school environment to help bridge the gap for pupils who may lack consistent academic support.

Proven results in accelerating progress

Research, including an EEF study which observed the effects on Free School Meal pupils, consistently shows Lexia helps close literacy gaps faster, enabling pupils from disadvantaged backgrounds to catch up with their peers and sustain progress long-term.

“Trials found that pupils eligible for Free School Meals (FSM) made, on average, two additional months’ progress in reading compared to similar peers.”

Education Endowment Foundation (EEF)

Proven Results

Resources for Learners from Disadvantaged Backgrounds

Here are some useful resources that explain more about our adaptive literacy programmes support learners from disadvantaged backgrounds.

EEF Efficacy Study Summary - Lexia Core5 Reading PDF - 743 KB Response to Education Select Committee inquiry on left behind pupils from disadvantaged backgrounds - The National Literacy Trust, July 2020 External Link Lexia Reading Core5®: Testing a computer-based reading programme - EEF Study External Link

“On average, within the first 5 weeks, most children had made at least 2 months progress which was massive for the school! We noticed our bottom 20% of children, our more vulnerable learners, have made significant progress in starting the program. We've now got more children the potential of reaching greater depth as well. So, Lexia has managed to target all learners.”

Reading Lead, St Alban’s Academy, Wolverhampton