Intervention details

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Switch-on

Moderate for Secondary reading
No impact for Primary reading
UK Evaluated in the UK

Intervention description

Switch-on is a one-to-one literacy intervention for struggling readers from KS1 to KS3. The intervention lasts for 10 weeks and is delivered daily in 20-minute sessions. It is made up of alternate reading and writing sessions and based on detailed observation with strategy-based feedback.

The purpose of the intervention is to achieve functional literacy for as many pupils as possible, and so to close the reading achievement gap for vulnerable children working below age-expected levels.

A Switch-on Network is available and provides ongoing support for those who deliver the Switch-on interventions.

Staffing requirements

Led by trained teaching and support assistants.

Professional development/training

Whole school training and support is offered and is delivered by a network of national trainers.

Evidence Summary

The Education Endowment Foundation ran a project investigating the effectiveness of Switch-on, which found that it appears to be effective for weak and disadvantaged readers at the stage of transition to secondary school.

The studies found a mean effect size of 0.00 for primary reading and +0.24 for secondary reading.

Moderate for Secondary reading
No. of studies 1
No. of students 308
Average effect size +0.24
No impact for Primary reading
No. of studies 1
No. of students 902
Average effect size +0.00

Key research

The evaluation found that for the intervention to have the largest possible effect it was important for staff to have training and to adhere to the protocol devised by the developers.

https://educationendowmentfoundation.org.uk/projects-and-evaluation/projects/switch-on-reading/

A further Education Endowment Foundation project found that Switch-on had no impact on the reading ability of Year 3 children.

https://educationendowmentfoundation.org.uk/projects-and-evaluation/projects/switch-on-effectiveness-trial

Key stages

  • Key Stage 1
  • Key Stage 2
  • Key Stage 3

Targeted groups

  • Struggling readers

Cost

Contact provider for quote

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