SM
Sarah Mitchell
MEd Literacy — Structured Literacy Specialist
- Reading
- Phonics
- Dyslexia Support
4.9(156)$45/hr
Reading tutoring that transforms struggling readers
When children struggle to decode, read fluently or understand what they read, every subject becomes harder. Our evidence-based structured literacy approach builds the skills your child needs.
- Structured literacy specialists
- DBS-checked tutors
- Free assessment included
92%
of students improve their reading level
The reading crisis: the numbers every parent should know
Reading proficiency has reached crisis levels in English-speaking countries. The most recent data reveals alarming gaps that demand evidence-based intervention.
- US 8th graders reading proficiently
- 33%
- Meaning 67% cannot read grade-level texts with understanding.
- NAEP 2022
- More likely to drop out of high school
- 4×
- For children not reading at grade level by the end of 3rd grade.
- Annie E. Casey Foundation
- Extra reading progress from 1-on-1 tutoring
- +5 months
- One of the most effective literacy interventions.
- Education Endowment Foundation
- Literacy gain across 96 trials
- 0.37 SD
- Equivalent to 3–5 additional months of progress.
- Nickow et al., 2023
reading gaps are easiest to fix at ages 5–8, but it's never too late
Taught by reading specialists
Every reading tutor in our network is trained in structured literacy approaches and has proven results helping struggling readers.
Structured literacy specialists
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.
Diagnostic-driven
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.
Progress monitoring
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.
MR
Michael Roberts
PhD Education — Reading Comprehension Expert
- Reading
- Comprehension
- Vocabulary
4.8(124)$50/hr
EL
Emma Lawson
Wilson Certified — Phonics & Fluency Specialist
- Reading
- Phonics
- Early Literacy
4.9(98)$42/hr
DC
David Chen
MSc Education — Secondary Reading Intervention
- Reading
- Struggling Readers
- Academic Reading
4.8(87)$48/hr
What parents and students say
Real results from reading students and their parents after working with our tutors.
- Students improve reading level
- 92%
- Average parent satisfaction rating
- 4.9/5
- Reading students helped
- 1,200+
“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
Verified
“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
Verified
“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
Verified
Getting started is simple
- 1.
Book a free reading assessment
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.
- 2.
Get matched with a reading specialist
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.
- 3.
Watch reading skills transform
Systematic, explicit instruction builds skills step by step. You'll receive progress updates after every session, tracking improvements in decoding, fluency, and comprehension.
Common questions about reading tutoring
Choosing a reading tutor is a big decision. Here are honest answers to what parents ask us most.
Ready to transform your child's reading?
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.
further reading, for parents who like the detail
The science of reading: what actually works
Show or hide the guide
further reading, for parents who like the detail
The science of reading: what actually works
The reading wars are settled
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 five pillars
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.
What the research says
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 is best, but never too late
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.
How we work
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."