Our History

Fuelled by one father’s vision that laid the groundwork for a lasting impact on literacy education

Our story’s beginning

In 1984, Bob Lemire, a devoted father and investment advisor from the US, discovered that his son was struggling with reading. Driven by a personal commitment to aid his son, Bob did his research and found that practical literacy support for students with dyslexia were alarmingly limited.

So he brought together a team of experts, reading neuroscientist Dr. Edwin Cole (a noted neurologist, head of the Reading Clinic at the Massachusetts General Hospital and the founder of several schools for students with dyslexia) and technology expert Dr Littleton Meeks, to create Lexia - a programme that harnessed emerging computer technology for personalised, systematic reading instruction.

Some 11 years later in 1995, Lexia was launched in the UK by Arthur Staples, a man who shared Bob’s vision of using technology to overcome the blight of illiteracy which he saw firsthand as a teacher in alternative education settings in London and the North East of England. And in the 30+ years since, we have brought Bob and Arthur’s vision and innovation to schools across the UK and Ireland. We proudly support over 300,000 learners in 3,500+ schools with personalised literacy programmes that are research-proven and backed by a growing body of 20+ peer-reviewed studies.

Our timeline

1984: Lexia Learning is founded in the US by Bob Lemire.

1985: Secured research grant from the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development,

1992: Focus broadened beyond dyslexia to literacy for all.

1995: Arthur Staples forms Teesside Educational Support Services (TESS) and launches Lexia in the UK

2005: LexiaUK Ltd is incorporated and further expands its UK-wide customer support services.

2007: Lexia launches an early adaptive learning model, making literacy support more personalised than ever.

2012: Introduced Core5® Reading, a programme supporting literacy development for primary school pupils.

2015: Introduced Assessment Without Testing®, embedded, real-time assessment without disrupting learning.

2017: Released PowerUp Literacy® for secondary school readers, earning a Strong ESSA rating.

2020: Lexia Learning joined Cambium Learning Group, an award-winning education technology provider.

2022: The Education Endowment Foundation (EEF) publishes its efficacy study of Lexia Core5® Reading.

2024: Following on from its first UK efficacy publication Lexia Core5® Reading receives EEF ‘Promising Programme’ recognition.

Now: Trusted across 3,500+ UK schools, empowering 300,000+ learners.

Our continuing mission: Literacy for All

From a father’s drive and determination to give his son the literacy intervention he needed, to a trusted UK education partner - our journey has always been shaped by one belief, that every child deserves the opportunity to read with confidence.

With a foundation in research, a heritage of continued innovation and a team of experts that are passionate about supporting educators, LexiaUK remains focussed in delivering literacy programmes that offer all learners - including SEND, EAL and disadvantaged groups, a research-proven literacy solution that accelerates their literacy skills to succeed.