Case Study
Marple Hall
Marple Hall School Sees Transformative Literacy Gains with Lexonik
Average Reading Age Gain Across the School: 31 months
Students Impacted by Lexonik Programmes: 88 students
The Problem: Addressing Literacy Challenges for Secondary Students
Located in Greater Manchester, Marple Hall School faced a pressing challenge: a need to raise the literacy levels of its students, particularly those who were struggling to keep pace with reading demands across the curriculum. While existing interventions were in place, they weren’t effectively reaching middle-ability students who needed specialized support to excel. The school sought a targeted, impactful literacy solution to bridge this gap and ensure students had the tools to access and understand content across all subjects.
“We wanted a solution that would provide real impact and get our students truly engaged in improving their reading and vocabulary skills,” explains Claire Beirne, Intervention Literacy Lead.
The Solution: Implementing Lexonik Advance and Leap
After learning about the Lexonik programme through educational networks, Marple Hall was intrigued by its unique approach and promising outcomes. The school’s Whole-School Literacy Lead, Miss Shakeshaft, initiated a pilot of Lexonik Advance, with Claire Beirne selected to oversee the intervention as the dedicated Literacy Lead.
“I call it ‘the Unicorn’ because it’s so different, and you have to see it in action to believe the improvement it creates,” says Claire.
Claire’s background in training and development allowed her to easily adopt Lexonik’s structured approach. With a strong focus on morphology and word-building techniques, Lexonik aligned seamlessly with Marple Hall’s existing literacy strategies. Soon, Claire and three additional trained staff were delivering Lexonik Advance and Leap sessions to groups of students in years 7 through 11.
“We started with Advance for middle-ability students and added Leap for our struggling readers. The program’s structure, with clear resources and engaging content, made it easy to implement and enjoyable for students,” Claire notes.
The Results: Remarkable Gains in Reading Proficiency and Student Confidence
The impact of Lexonik was evident. Across the 88 students who participated in Lexonik Advance, Marple Hall saw an impressive average reading age gain of 31 months. This significant progress transformed students’ confidence and skills, helping them to not only read better but to better comprehend and engage with exam content and classroom discussions.
“Students often come to me after exams, excitedly sharing how Lexonik helped them understand and interpret questions in ways they couldn’t before. It’s truly amazing to witness,” shares Claire.
Teachers across subjects also reported a noticeable improvement in students’ vocabulary, decoding skills, and overall comprehension. The program’s engaging format, which avoids feeling remedial, captivated students and motivated them to keep progressing.
“It’s 100% effective. I would recommend Lexonik to any school looking for an intervention that delivers real impact,” says Claire.
With the program embedded into Marple Hall’s curriculum, Claire credits the Senior Leadership Team’s support and commitment to training, which ensured successful integration.
Conclusion
Marple Hall’s journey with Lexonik demonstrates the power of targeted literacy interventions. Claire encourages other schools to invest in high-impact solutions like Lexonik that prioritize student engagement and deliver transformative results.
“Lexonik has been a game-changer for us. Invest in it, and you’ll be amazed at the progress your students make.”
Ready to empower learners? Start your new literacy journey today.
Equip learners with essential reading skills and a rich vocabulary for lifelong success.