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About IDL

International Dyslexia Learning (IDL) provides award-winning, multi-sensory software that helps improve literacy and numeracy for primary and secondary school pupils. Developed with SEN experts and trusted by over 4,200 schools worldwide, IDL is the UK’s number one SEN app for teachers—boosting skills, building confidence, and supporting Ofsted requirements.

What is included in your IDL package

  • Award winning literacy and numeracy software programmes trusted by thousands of schools around the world
  • An unlimited user licence to use with as many learners as you like on as many devices as you wish
  • A user-friendly interface that allows you to automate lesson plans and see student progress at the touch of a button
  • Portfolio of free resources to provide extra support, including Animated Maths Tutorials, Literacy & Numeracy Screening and Times Tables practice
  • Touch typing and subject specific spelling exercises – perfect for homework or exam practice
  • The ability for pupils to work independently with minimal tutor supervision
  • Apps designed for iPads and tablets so you can use IDL on any device with an internet connection from any location
  • Downloadable certificates to reward pupil progress
  • Progress reporting and graphs to show individual and group improvement
  • Dedicated technical support team and customer service advisors on hand to help
  • Complimentary training available to all staff throughout the year

Make An Enquiry

The IDL Story

IDL was devised in the mid 1980s by educators working with the Starcross Educational Research Association. In 2012 a programme was funded by the Big Lottery called Lifting Barriers.

This allowed IDL to be developed for use within a school environment in conjunction with SENCO leaders. Over a three year period IDL was placed in to 120 primary and secondary schools across the North West. IDL was required to show an increase in reading and spelling ages along with an increase in confidence and self-esteem for those pupils with dyslexia or dyslexic type difficulties.

The results showed an average increase in reading and spelling ages of 11 months after only 26 hours use.

In March 2026, IDL was integrated into our parent company, Ascentis, an educational charity and leading awarding organisation.

Our Mission

To enable learning through innovative education and exceptional customer service.

Our Journey So Far

1980s

IDL Literacy created by the Starcross Educational Research Association

2002

Scrase research project reported fantastic learner progress

2013

IDL joins the Ascentis education charity

August 2015

Successful 3 year National Lottery ‘Lifting Barriers’ project reported brilliant results

September 2018

IDL Numeracy launched

October 2018

IDL Literacy wins NASEN’s Effective Technology Resource Award

January 2019

IDL announced as Red Rose Awards finalist for Innovation in Business

June 2019

IDL Numeracy wins most Innovative Educational Software Provider

August 2020

IDL Numeracy Screener launched

March 2021

Launched IDL Animated Maths Tutorials

September 2021

Launched IDL Multiplication Tables Check (MTC)

October 2021

IDL wins the Innovation Award for Technology at NASEN

January 2022

IDL Literacy Screener launched

January 2023

Launched IDL Wellbeing

September 2023

Launched Numeracy by Strand

July 2025

90k Pupils Screened

March 2026

Integrated into Ascentis

Meet Our Team

  • Woman smiling
    Sarah Hyslop
    Deputy Head of IDL
  • Woman smiling
    Jackie Holding
    Interventions Advisor
  • ryan
    Ryan Foster
    Partnerships Manager
  • Woman smiling
    Rozanne Brayshaw
    Customer Experience Manager
  • Woman smiling
    Beth Byrne
    Customer Support Advisor
  • hannah
    Hannah Mahon
    Interventions Advisor
  • Ellie
    Ellie Greham
    Customer Support Advisor
  • Grace
    Grace Kennedy
    Customer Support Advisor
  • Megan
    Megan Lee
    Customer Support Advisor
Make An Enquiry

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Did you know our new Phonics programme has a multisensory learning approach 🙌

The programme incorporates a wide range of multisensory activities to strengthen retention, engagement and understanding, including: 

⭐Animated instructional videos
⭐Colour-coded graphemes, digraphs and trigraphs
⭐Speech recognition to support blending
⭐On-screen tracing and handwriting recognition
⭐Tap-the-sound phoneme sequencing
....and much more! 

Try the Phonics programme for FREE with our school pilot 👉https://ow.ly/kou850YQBS0

#Phonics #SchoolPhonics #Phonicsactivites
🌎Happy Earth Day! 🌎

This year’s theme, “Our Power, Our Planet,” is all about the impact our everyday actions can have on the world around us.

Whether it’s planting seeds, embracing renewable energy, or simply picking up litter, small actions really do add up to make a big difference.
We’re not just caring for the planet today, we’re protecting it for future generations… including the pupils in your classroom! 💚

Plus, getting outside isn’t just good for the Earth, it’s great for us too! Fresh air and being outdoors can boost happiness and wellbeing, reinforcing the value of incorporating outdoor learning into your lessons. 🌳

#EarthDay2026 #OurPowerOurPlanet #EarthDay
📣 FREE Phonics School Pilot Now Live! 📣 

Be the first to try our brand new IDL Phonics programme! 🤩 

Designed for pupils aged 4+, IDL Phonics is a powerful independent learning tool that helps children become confident, fluent readers through engaging, structured and multi-sensory learning.

There are over 200 objectives and 14,000 interactive activities, covering all 44 phonemes in English, including alternative spellings, common exception words and high-frequency words. Teachers can also use individual activities to support front-of-class teaching.

Available until 1st September 🙌 

Learn more by watching the video below and sign up for the free pilot today 👉 https://lnkd.in/erFv9euk

#Phonics #SchoolPhonics #TeachingPhonics
Our new Phonics programme contains over 14,000 activities with 200+ different learning objectives! 🤩

We've created a independent phonics learning tool for pupils aged 4+, designed to help children become confident, fluent readers through engaging, structured and multi-sensory learning.

Fully aligned with the UK National Curriculum and Letters and Sounds framework, the programme provides systematic phonics instruction through interactive lessons that adapt to each learner.

Want to try it for FREE? 📣

We're  offering all schools the opportunity to try IDL Phonics free of charge from mid-April until the 1st September 2026 through our pilot programme.

Register here 👉 https://idlsgroup.com/phonics-page2/

#Phonics #UKPhonics
Our IDL Literacy and Numeracy screeners are recognised by the Irish Department of Education and Youth!

We’re proud that our software supports the Department’s mission to help children and young people achieve their full potential through learning. 🙌

To learn more about our screeners, click here 👉 https://idlsgroup.com/our-products/
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