An analysis of the improvement in attainments of 109 students attending specialist-resourced provision for specific learning difficulties (SpLD) attached to mainstream secondary schools was conducted as they progressed through Key Stages 3 and 4. Steady progress was made in terms of reading accuracy, reading comprehension, spelling ability and rate of reading. The ratio gains for these skills varied from 0.68 to 0.91. Additionally, self-efficacy was monitored and also showed a slight improvement. This study therefore provides some suggestion of the progress that might reasonably be expected of pupils starting secondary school with significant literacy difficulties. (Contains 6 tables and 2 figures.)