Reading is the foundation of all academic success. When children struggle to decode words, read fluently, or understand what they read, every subject becomes harder. At RootsTutorServices, we use evidence-based structured literacy approaches to build the specific reading skills your child needs.
No commitment required · Free assessment included · DBS-checked tutors
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Students improve reading level
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Average parent satisfaction rating
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Additional progress (EEF)
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Reading students helped
We'll evaluate your child's reading level across all five pillars — phonics, fluency, vocabulary, and comprehension. This diagnostic pinpoints exactly where support is needed.
Your child will work with a tutor trained in structured literacy approaches — Orton-Gillingham, Wilson Reading System, or evidence-based phonics instruction. No generalists, only reading experts.
Systematic, explicit instruction builds skills step by step. You'll receive progress updates after every session, tracking improvements in decoding, fluency, and comprehension.
Reading proficiency has reached crisis levels in English-speaking countries. The most recent data reveals alarming gaps that demand evidence-based intervention.
33%
NAEP 2022
Only 33% of US 8th graders read at the proficient level — meaning 67% cannot read grade-level texts with understanding.
+5 months
Education Endowment Foundation
One-to-one tutoring produces five additional months of reading progress, making it one of the most effective literacy interventions.
0.37 SD
Nickow et al., 2023
A meta-analysis of 96 randomised controlled trials found one-on-one tutoring improves literacy outcomes by 0.37 standard deviations — equivalent to 3-5 additional months of progress.
4× more likely
Annie E. Casey Foundation
Children not reading at grade level by the end of 3rd grade are 4 times more likely to drop out of high school — early intervention is critical.
We combine structured literacy expertise with evidence-based teaching methods — so your child doesn't just practice reading, they build the foundational skills that unlock all learning.
Evidence-based methods, not 'just read more'. Our tutors are trained in Orton-Gillingham, Wilson Reading System, and systematic phonics instruction—the approaches research shows actually work.
We identify the actual problem, not guess. Every student starts with a comprehensive assessment measuring phonemic awareness, decoding, fluency, vocabulary, and comprehension—pinpointing exactly where support is needed.
Orton-Gillingham and Wilson-aligned instruction that follows a logical sequence from simple to complex. We don't skip steps—we build reading skills systematically, filling gaps that compound over time.
Appropriate for all struggling readers, including those with dyslexia. Our multisensory, explicit instruction methods are exactly what research shows works for students with reading disabilities.
Regular assessments track growth (WCPM, accuracy, comprehension). You'll see measurable improvement, not just a feeling. We chart progress over time so you know exactly how your child is improving.
Engaging texts that respect your child's maturity. Older struggling readers won't be embarrassed with 'babyish' books—we use materials that match their interests and age level while building foundational skills.
Every reading tutor in our network is trained in structured literacy approaches and has proven results helping struggling readers. Here are just a few of the specialists your child could work with.
Real results from real families. These stories come from reading students and their parents after working with our tutors.
“My daughter struggled with reading for three years. Her school kept saying 'just read more at home,' but she couldn't read the books they sent! After 6 months with RootsTutorServices, she's finally reading at grade level. Her confidence has completely transformed.”
Rachel W.
Parent — Year 4 Student, Bristol
“I thought my son would never be able to read fluently. At age 14, he was still decoding like a 7-year-old. The tutor didn't judge—just systematically filled in every gap. Now he's reading young adult novels on his own. I'm honestly in tears writing this.”
David M.
Parent — Year 9 Student, London
“The early intervention was so worth it. My 6-year-old was struggling in Reception, and we started tutoring immediately. Now in Year 2, she's one of the strongest readers in her class. Catching it early made all the difference.”
Amara P.
Parent — Year 2 Student, Manchester
“My teenager refused tutoring for months, saying he was 'too old' to learn to read. The tutor used age-appropriate materials and treated him with respect. Within 12 weeks, he went from reading at a Year 5 level to Year 9. The change in his attitude toward school has been remarkable.”
Helen T.
Parent — Year 10 Student
“We'd tried everything — flashcards, apps, reading programmes. Nothing worked until we found Roots. The structured literacy approach finally made sense to my daughter. She's now reading chapter books independently, something I never thought I'd see.”
James K.
Parent — Year 3 Student
For decades, education debated the "reading wars"—whole language versus phonics, balanced literacy versus structured literacy. The scientific evidence is now overwhelming and unequivocal: systematic, explicit phonics instruction combined with rich language exposure produces the best reading outcomes.
The National Reading Panel's landmark 2000 meta-analysis identified five essential components of reading instruction: phonemic awareness, phonics, fluency, vocabulary, and comprehension. These five pillars are interdependent—strong phonics without comprehension instruction produces word-callers who read without understanding; comprehension instruction without solid decoding produces students who guess and depend on pictures.
Reading intervention research provides the strongest evidence base in education. A comprehensive meta-analysis by Nickow, Oreopoulos & Quan (2023) examining 96 randomised controlled trials found that one-on-one tutoring improves literacy outcomes by 0.37 standard deviations—equivalent to 3-5 additional months of reading progress beyond what occurs in regular classroom instruction.
Early intervention is critical. Reading difficulties are easiest to prevent and remediate in the early primary years (ages 5-8). Research consistently shows that early intervention produces larger and more durable effects than later intervention. However, it's never too late. Older struggling readers (ages 9-18) show significant gains from structured literacy intervention, though it requires greater intensity and duration.
At RootsTutorServices, we use evidence-based structured literacy approaches including Orton-Gillingham principles and Wilson Reading System methods. Every student begins with a thorough diagnostic assessment measuring phonological awareness, decoding, fluency, vocabulary, and comprehension. This diagnostic pinpoints exactly where your child's reading breakdown occurs—enabling targeted, efficient intervention rather than generic "reading practice."
Key statistics that show why reading tutoring is one of the most impactful investments a parent can make.
65%
Only 35% of US 4th graders read at the proficient level — meaning 65% cannot read grade-level texts with understanding. This reading crisis demands evidence-based intervention.
33%
US 8th graders at proficient level
Only one-third of students can read grade-level texts with understanding.
+5months
Additional progress from tutoring
One-to-one tutoring produces five months of extra reading progress (EEF).
4×risk
Dropout risk without intervention
Children not reading at grade level by 3rd grade are 4× more likely to drop out.
0.37SD
Tutoring effectiveness
Meta-analysis shows 0.37 standard deviation improvement from one-on-one tutoring.
10%
Population has dyslexia
Approximately 10% of the population has dyslexia — structured literacy helps all struggling readers.
5pillars
Evidence-based instruction
Phonemic awareness, phonics, fluency, vocabulary, and comprehension — we teach them all.
Your child doesn't have to struggle with reading. Our specialist tutors build foundational skills that unlock all learning.
Book a Free Reading AssessmentChoosing a reading tutor is a big decision. Here are honest answers to the questions parents ask us most about reading tutoring.
Book a free reading assessment today. We'll evaluate your child's current level, identify the specific skills causing difficulty, and recommend a personalised tutoring plan — with no commitment required.
Book Your Free Reading Assessment
