Supporting reading across a Multi Academy Trust (MAT) is a constant balancing act, with many challenges that demand a lot of time and financial support to overcome.
…unfortunate, then, that they’re the two things you probably have the least of.
Here’s what you’re up against as a Multi Academy Trust leader or senior management team:
You already know that effective reading support is less about flashy new software that beeps and boops in the right places, and more about building a consistent approach that works across all schools. Each will be facing different contexts and growing numbers of children needing reading support, and managing tight budgets while making sure staff get the right training can be tough, especially when teachers are already stretched thin for time.
And their confidence in delivering reading support varies widely, so building expertise and practical skills is key… but CPD takes time and effort from teaching staff, who are likely more focused on finding three minutes of downtime to eat a sandwich than think about their reading support delivery skills.
On top of that, access to the digital tools students need in order to access the support they need to thrive isn’t always straightforward: it’s rare any school has the real number of laptops or tablets to suit demand, and of the right spec to run the apps and software that students with reading needs require to boost their skills.
So in short, we’re looking at a large number of logistics problems.
🧠 Reading needs at a Multi Academy Trust level are widespread, and those numbers are only going to increase: 1 in 20 pupils now has an EHCP, and the number of active EHCPs has been rising year on year.
🧠 Which means that the portion of your budget set aside for reading needs is going to have to be higher than ever before. Unfortunately, school budgets have dropped in real terms, with 75% of primary schools and 92% of secondary schools reporting being forced to make cuts this year alone.
🧠 …And those student needs are complex in 2025. Across your Multi Academy Trust, there are going to be students with reading needs of all levels: some will need support getting to grips with English (EALs), some will be navigating learning differences like dyslexia (SEN), and some will simply have fallen behind in literacy due to home factors, confidence loss, and pandemic reading loss.
🧠 Which means that the support level they require is going to vary student-to-student. That makes it difficult to implement without a large degree of ongoing teacher involvement and oversight, or some very clever tech that allows users to vary their support level and customise the support they receive, student-to-student and task-to-task.
🧠 And that large amount of teacher involvement is a problem when across your Multi Academy Trust, there are likely to be only three or four teachers who have the time and the working bandwidth to add additional reading support duties to their weekly tasks. The administrative burden on teachers has never been higher, and neither has their stress level.
And most importantly…
🧠 Investing in reading support requires a leap of faith.
Whether you’re looking at software or hardware, human reading support or apps and programs, every time your Multi Academy Trust parts with vital funding in order to resource reading support for the students in your care, you’re having to base that on what’s likely a series of reviews, spin and tech marketing. And that’s a risk: the stakes are high if you get those choices wrong, and your Multi Academy Trust likely doesn’t have the budget for a redo if you end up going with something that doesn’t quite generate the results you need.
That’s where Scanning Pens’ Multi Academy Trust Pilot Program comes in.
The Scanning Pens MAT Pilot Program is a no-cost pilot that raises literacy levels across your entire Trust. With no upfront investment, it’s a risk-free opportunity to implement award-winning reading support and experience a new way to support learners, away from the distractions of the screen – and try those reading support solutions before you buy, so you can judge the results for yourself.
Reading pens are a tried and tested reading support solution that have been powering reading gains in Multi Academy Trusts for years, supporting those with dyslexia, those who are new to English, and those who just need a little extra help to get back to the literacy level their peers are at. And they’re simple: in an age where students and teachers are faced with information overload, they make confident reading as simple as scan, listen, understand.
Just plug in the headphones and move the pen across the page to get started!
Who can start a pilot program?
This exclusive pilot is open to MATs with 5 or more schools ready to transform literacy outcomes for students with reading difficulties.
Alright. But what’s so special about reading pens?
By supplementing the words on the page with an accurate, lightning-fast audio, reading pens take reading multi-modal. And readers who learn to read multi-modally become stronger readers overall. That means retention gets boosted, skills grow faster, and confidence issues disappear as the barrier between the reader and the words on the page breaks down.
But that’s not all: any reading pen your Multi Academy Trust takes on as part of the MATs Pilot Program will have been designed by the reading pen experts at C-Pen. C-Pen have been designing and creating award-winning reading pens for decades, and as well as being a worldwide bestseller for educators looking to support reading and boost outcomes, these pens are also packed with support and customisation features to help each and every reader in their care find the right level of support and tackle reading independently.
✔️ Bulit-in dictionary definitions
✔️ Multiple language scanning
✔️ Customisable playback speed and word pause
✔️ Customisable accent
✔️ Scan-to-file mode
✔️ Voice recorder mode
And there are also JCQ-approved models which are able to be used in UK exams – meaning that reading pens can continue to support Multi Academy Trust students when they need it most, instead of stopping at the exam hall door.
We know that you need to be certain before you part with the funding.
And that’s okay!
When Multi Academy Trusts get reading support wrong, and solutions don’t offer as much support as learners as much as they need them to, that’s a lot of reading, learning and working futures compromised. You need to know you’re making the right decision for the students you guide, and you need to know that the solution you choose is as scalable, flexible and effective as you need it to be.
That’s why we offer MATs the chance to test out reading pens with their learners for a whole 60 days, in a risk-free environment where our education experts are able to support them each and every step of the way.
So here’s how to kickstart a 60-day reading revolution in your Multi Academy Trust!
Step 1: Register your interest
Once you’ve signed up for your pilot program, we’ll schedule a personalised discovery call with your team. This is our chance to understand your Multi Academy Trust’s unique needs, align our strategy with your goals, and recommend the most impactful product for your pilot.
Together we'll identify your:
• current literacy and inclusion priorities
• best-fit reading solution for your schools
• the ideal implementation strategy for you
• a perfect start date for your pilot
Once you’re sure on next steps, we’ll parcel up your reading pens and ship them securely, directly to you.
Step 2: Implementation training
Time to launch with confidence! By this stage, we’ve mapped out your pilot plan and we’ll start delivering expert-led training sessions designed to set you up for success.
Together we’ll work on:
• Guided walkthroughs of the powerful reading pen features available
• Proven strategies for embedding the pens into your literacy interventions
• Tips for engaging students, especially those with SEN or at risk of disengagement
• Multi-school rollout guidance to drive consistent adoption across your trust
• CPD-accredited training that supports your team’s professional growth
We always make sure that your team is confident, equipped, and ready to see results—that’s why we’re here. Nobody goes into this feeling like they don’t know enough, or like they don’t know what they’re supposed to do with the technology or the implementation process.
Step 3: Ongoing support, every step of the way
You’re never on your own – we’re with you from day one to day sixty. Throughout the pilot, our dedicated sales and education teams are on hand to ensure everything runs smoothly, your staff feel supported, and your students thrive.
Throughout your pilot you will:
• Access on-demand guidance when needed
• Have mid-pilot check-ins to troubleshoot, optimise, and maintain learning momentum
• Gain access to ready-to-use classroom resources and student reflection tools to boost engagement
• Gather feedback and testimonials to evidence your real literacy progress
Doing it this way, and marrying reading support with data collection and testimonials to help you evidence real impact, ensures that the whole process is insightful and inspiring for everyone involved.
Step 4: Final feedback, and continued support
As your 60-day trial wraps up, we’ll guide you through a simple yet helpful review process. Together we'll evaluate your outcomes and reflect on the impact with a brief feedback form, reviewing any outcomes or testimonials.
What’s next? Scale your success! We’re certain by this stage you’ll have experienced first-hand evidence of improved literacy and engagement. So, we're here to support your trust in taking the next step: wide-scale implementation. Your journey doesn’t end here – it’s just beginning. We’re here to help find you affordable options for taking this success further, including exclusive leasing options for MATs.
And if you want to continue the journey…
…Chat with your Scanning Pens representative about keeping the pens you’ve trialled, or scaling the solution to fit student needs right across your Multi Academy Trust.
But that’s not all: you’ll also receive CPD & post-pilot support
✔️ 1-hour CPD session for all pilot MATs
✔️ 3-hour CPD session for schools that purchase
✔️ Advanced CPD modules for SENCOs and literacy leads
But you don’t have to just take our word for it.
George Dixon Primary School
Before the pilot program:
• Students in Years 4–6 were struggling with decoding, comprehension, and reading fluency.
• Limited engagement in independent reading tasks.
• Teachers reported low confidence and participation from SEN learners.
After the pilot program:
• +10 months in reading accuracy comprehension
• +7 months in reading rate
• Find out more at the Scanning Pens YouTube channel!
Prince Albert High School
Before the pilot program:
• A Year 8 nurture group showed significant gaps in literacy skills.
• Students were reluctant to engage with standard reading interventions.
After the pilot program:
• +1 year 4 months in reading accuracy
• +5.4 months in comprehension
• +2.4 months in reading rate
“All of the children love them. Reading pens have enabled them to be free with reading like never before. Children are telling me they’re 10 out 10 for how much they enjoy using them.”
- Elms Farm Primary School,
Birmingham Multi Academy Trust Pilot Program
To find out more about the Scanning Pens Multi Academy Trust Pilot Program, check out our MATs Pilot Program hub page, where you can kickstart your 60-day pilot and revolutionise reading support in your Trust.
And if you’re looking for ways to support young readers without maxing your budget or making a huge funding outlay this term, check out the new Scanning Pens leasing program – where we help schools, local authorities and Trusts like yours access award-winning reading support for just 24p a day!
And finally, we’re a chatty bunch. If you want to speak to one of our reading support experts about supporting the reading needs in your setting, we’re always happy to explore in-depth solutions with you and your finance department.
📧 Drop us a line: ukinfo@scanningpens.com
☎️ Give us a call: +44 (0) 207 976 4910
