Welcome to Literacy Health

Children’s reading ages are increasingly falling behind their expected levels — and it’s not their fault.

In a world dominated by TikTok clips and YouTube Shorts, attention spans are shrinking. The slower, deeper engagement that reading requires is being crowded out. And when children fall behind in literacy, the evidence is clear:

the gap doesn’t close — it widens.

Services

Every Learner Deserves the Tools to Thrive

As learners move through school, those with poor literacy skills face increasing barriers.
They struggle to access the curriculum, disengage from learning, and gradually lose confidence in themselves.

In Britain, 40% of children are now caught in a national literacy health crisis. Many of these students become low-level disruptors — not out of defiance, but out of frustration and diminished self-worth.

Over time, they risk becoming part of our permanent exclusion statistics — not because they lack potential, but because they were never given the tools to thrive.

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🌍 Let’s build a world where every educator has the tools to empower every learner.

Expert Literacy Support That Transforms Learning

Ready to elevate literacy practice across your school, organisation, or community?

Our Consultancy Service offers expert support from a dynamic and experienced Literacy Specialist, working directly with teachers, school leaders, and education professionals to strengthen literacy teaching and learning across all key stages — from early years to adult education.

Whether you're a school leader seeking whole-school transformation, a teacher looking for high-impact CPD, or an organisation aiming to boost adult literacy, Lainy Spinks brings deep insight, innovative strategies, and a track record of proven results.

Empowering Educators to Unlock Every Learner’s Voice

We believe deeply that literacy is the foundation of human connection and opportunity. That’s why we empower educators with the skills, strategies, and confidence they need to help every learner thrive — no matter their starting point.

Here’s how we support literacy development across all stages and settings:

📚 Curriculum-aligned literacy support — from EYFS to Post-16
🗣️ Oracy coaching — building confident, articulate communicators
✍️ Writing workshops — inspiring creativity and refining classroom practice
📖 Reading strategies — unlocking comprehension and critical thinking
🧠 Inclusive approaches — tailored for diverse learners and language backgrounds

Frequently Asked Questions

What is health literacy?

Literacy health refers to the overall state of literacy skills within a population — including how well individuals can read, write, speak, and understand language — and how these skills impact their ability to learn, communicate, and participate fully in society.

It’s similar to physical or mental health, but focused on literacy as a foundational skill. Here's a breakdown of what it typically includes:

🔍 Key Aspects of Literacy Health:

  • Reading proficiency: Are learners reading at or above age-related expectations?
  • Writing ability: Can they express ideas clearly and effectively in writing?
  • Oracy and communication: Are they able to speak and listen with confidence and clarity?
  • Access and equity: Do all learners — regardless of background — have the support they need to develop strong literacy skills?
  • Engagement: Are learners motivated and confident in their literacy journey?

🚨 Why It Matters:

Poor literacy health can lead to:

  • Disengagement from education
  • Lower self-esteem
  • Increased behavioural issues
  • Reduced life opportunities and social mobility

Improving literacy health means creating environments where every learner has the tools, support, and confidence to thrive — academically, socially, and emotionally.

How can Literacy health strategies help my school?

📈 1. Raise Attainment Across the Curriculum

Strong literacy is the gateway to learning in every subject. By improving reading, writing, and communication skills, students are better able to access and engage with the full curriculum — from science to history to maths.

🧠 2. Support Inclusion and Equity

Literacy health strategies are designed to meet the needs of diverse learners, including:

  • EAL (English as an Additional Language) students
  • Learners with SEND
  • Pupils from disadvantaged backgrounds

This ensures no child is left behind due to unmet literacy needs.

🗣️ 3. Improve Behaviour and Engagement

When students can’t access the curriculum, they often disengage or act out. Literacy health strategies help reduce low-level disruption by:

  • Building confidence
  • Reducing frustration
  • Giving students the tools to express themselves

👩‍🏫 4. Empower Teachers with Practical Tools

Through CPD, coaching, and co-planning, staff gain:

  • Evidence-based strategies for teaching reading, writing, and oracy
  • Confidence in supporting struggling readers and writers
  • A shared language and approach across the school

🏫 5. Drive Whole-School Improvement

Embedding literacy health into your school’s development plan can lead to:

  • Improved outcomes in national assessments
  • Better Ofsted readiness
  • A stronger, more cohesive school culture

How do I know if my school has a literacy health issue?

There are several signs that may indicate your school is facing a literacy health challenge:

🚩 Common Indicators:

  • Falling reading ages: Pupils are not meeting age-related expectations in reading assessments.
  • Low engagement: Students show disinterest or struggle to participate in lessons across subjects.
  • Behavioural issues: Increased low-level disruption, often linked to frustration or lack of confidence.
  • Gaps in attainment: Disadvantaged, SEND, or EAL learners consistently underperform in literacy-related tasks.
  • Teacher concerns: Staff feel under-equipped to support struggling readers and writers effectively.
  • Limited progress in writing: Pupils struggle to express ideas clearly or develop writing stamina.

📊 What You Can Do:

A literacy health audit or diagnostic review can help you identify specific areas of need. Our consultancy offers tailored assessments and strategic support to help you take action — from early intervention to whole-school improvement.

“Working with Literacy Health has been a game-changer for me. I now have the knowledge and confidence to take control of my academy’s literacy health and make meaningful, lasting changes to our students’ lives.”

Harry Ferguson -  Academy Leader

Contact us

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About us

Across the UK, children’s reading ages are increasingly falling behind — and it’s not their fault. In a world dominated by instant content and shrinking attention spans, the deep engagement that literacy demands is being pushed aside. The result? A widening gap in literacy skills that affects confidence, behaviour, and long-term outcomes.

At the heart of this national literacy health crisis, 40% of children are struggling — not because they lack potential, but because they haven’t been given the tools to thrive. These learners often disengage, disrupt, and fall through the cracks of the system.

Lainy Spinks, Literacy Specialist Consultant, is here to change that.

With a deep belief that literacy is the foundation of human communication, Lainy works with schools, educators, and organisations to build confident readers, writers, and speakers — from early years to adult learners. Her approach is inclusive, evidence-based, and tailored to the needs of every setting.