ScanMarker Reading Pens for SEND & Dyslexia

ScanMarker reading pens are handheld scanners that read printed text aloud, helping dyslexic pupils access curriculum content independently in mainstream and SEND classrooms across the UK. The range includes the ScanMarker Max, which has an exam mode designed for use under JCQ Access Arrangements, plus everyday models for daily reading support.

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Our top pick

ScanMarker Max - advanced reading pen with exam mode

For schools supporting dyslexic pupils through GCSE and A Level, our top pick is the ScanMarker Max. It scans up to 3,000 characters per minute, reads printed text aloud line by line in five offline languages, and includes a dedicated exam mode that disables non-permitted functions for use in exams where the candidate has the appropriate JCQ access arrangement granted. Designed for learners aged 12 and over, it sits naturally alongside a school's wider SEND provision.

Price: £315.00 | View the ScanMarker Max

The ScanMarker brand is one of the leading reading-pen manufacturers used in UK SEND provision, and we stock the full UK range. Each model scans a line of printed text and converts it to speech using on-device OCR, which means dyslexic pupils can decode unfamiliar words, build reading fluency and access age-appropriate texts without relying on a teaching assistant to read for them.

Around 1 in 10 people in the UK are dyslexic, according to the British Dyslexia Association, and reading pens are one of the most cost-effective pieces of assistive technology a school can deploy. Under the SEND Code of Practice 2015 and the Equality Act 2010, schools have a duty to make reasonable adjustments for pupils with specific learning difficulties, and a shared set of reading pens often forms part of an Ordinarily Available Provision (OAP) offer for dyslexic learners.

Which ScanMarker pen is best for a SEND department?

For most secondary SEND departments, the ScanMarker Max is the strongest option because it includes an exam mode for use under JCQ Access Arrangements. For wider classroom and home-learning use where exam compliance is not required, the ScanMarker Air connects wirelessly to a laptop or tablet for whole-document scanning, and the ScanMarker Pro adds multilingual real-time text-to-speech.

Can ScanMarker pens be used in GCSE and A Level exams?

Reading pens can be used in GCSE, A Level and other JCQ-regulated exams when the candidate has been granted the appropriate access arrangement (typically a reader or computer reader) and the device is operating in a stripped-back exam mode that disables dictionary, translation, internet and storage functions. The ScanMarker Max includes such an exam mode. Schools should confirm permitted use with their exams officer and SENCo, and arrangements should be approved through Access Arrangements Online (AAO) using the appropriate JCQ forms.

How do reading pens support dyslexic pupils in the classroom?

Reading pens reduce the cognitive load of decoding so that dyslexic pupils can focus on comprehension. Used independently, they support self-paced reading of textbooks, worksheets and exam paper material; used in small-group work, they free up TA capacity for higher-order interventions. The ScanMarker Max also offers phonics mode, which displays phonetic spellings alongside the spoken word, supporting phonological awareness in line with structured-literacy approaches such as Toe by Toe and Read Write Inc.

Reading pens as part of SEND provision and EHCPs

Reading pens are routinely listed as a Section F provision in EHCPs for pupils with dyslexia or another SpLD where reading fluency is a barrier to curriculum access. They also form part of "ordinarily available" provision in many schools, sitting alongside coloured overlays, tinted exercise books and text-to-speech software. We supply schools, MATs and local authorities on 30-day credit terms with purchase-order ordering. Free UK delivery is included on orders over £100.

 

Need advice? Call us to have a chat - 01394 671 818 or email us hello@thedyslexiashop.co.uk

Frequently asked questions

What is a ScanMarker reading pen?

A ScanMarker is a handheld assistive-technology pen that uses optical character recognition (OCR) to scan a line of printed text and read it aloud through a built-in speaker or earphones. It is designed to support dyslexic learners, SEND pupils and adults who find decoding printed text effortful. The current UK range includes the ScanMarker Air, Pro and Max.

Can a ScanMarker pen be used in GCSE or A Level exams?

A reading pen can be used in JCQ-regulated exams when the candidate has been granted the appropriate access arrangement, usually a reader or computer reader, and the device is set to a stripped-back exam mode that disables dictionary, translation, internet and storage functions. The ScanMarker Max includes such an exam mode. Schools should confirm permitted use with their exams officer and check current JCQ Access Arrangements and Reasonable Adjustments (AARA) guidance.

How does a SENCo evidence the need for a reading pen in an EHCP or Form 8?

Need is normally evidenced through a SENCo or specialist teacher assessment showing a substantial impairment in reading speed, accuracy or comprehension that places the pupil below the relevant standardised threshold for the access arrangement being requested. The reading pen is then included in Section F of the EHCP or recorded in the pupil's normal way of working (NWoW). Form 8 captures the profile of learning difficulties; the application is processed through Access Arrangements Online (AAO).

Which ScanMarker is best for whole-school SEND provision?

The ScanMarker Max is the strongest option for secondary SEND departments because it covers both day-to-day classroom reading and exam-mode use under JCQ Access Arrangements. For pupils who only need everyday reading support and a wireless link to a laptop, the ScanMarker Air is more cost-effective at £131.99. Many schools buy a small number of Max pens for exam use and a larger pool of Air pens for classroom use.

How fast does a ScanMarker pen scan text?

The ScanMarker Max scans up to 3,000 characters per minute and reads a full line of printed text in under one second. This means a dyslexic pupil can keep pace with a class reading a worksheet or textbook passage, rather than falling behind. Recognition works on most standard print fonts and sizes used in UK school resources, exam papers and exercise books.

Do ScanMarker pens need WiFi or a computer to work?

No. The ScanMarker Max reads printed text aloud, translates and stores favourites entirely offline in five core languages: English, Spanish, French, German and Italian. WiFi is only required for advanced features such as voice translation across 100+ language pairs or syncing to the web app. Offline operation is particularly useful in exam halls and classrooms where pupil internet access is restricted.

Do you offer schools a purchase-order account and bulk discount?

Yes. The Dyslexia Shop offers UK schools, multi-academy trusts and local authorities 30-day credit on purchase orders, with free UK delivery on orders over £100. For larger orders, contact our team for a quotation tailored to your SEND budget or trust-wide rollout. Call 01394 671 818 or email hello@thedyslexiashop.co.uk to set up an account.