Reading Leaders Are Spreading The Reading Bug In Schools

We are delighted to have recently returned to Pendle Vale College in Nelson to train their latest cohort of Reading Leaders for the fourth consecutive year. Pendle Vale is one of many school partners who invite us back to repeat the training on an annual basis, recognising the difference it makes to reading ability and enjoyment in school.

Reading Leaders are older pupils who volunteer to be trained by Reading Matters to support younger ones with reading. During the training course, which takes place within a normal school day, peer mentors are put in the position of a struggling reader, shown how to recognise different reading difficulties and look at what they can do to help.  Reading Leaders are aged 14 and over can gain a level 2 CERTA accreditation in recognition of their time supporting reading development.

Mrs Brown, Assistant Headteacher at Pendle Vale said “ This is an extremely beneficial programme for developing real leadership skills but has also shown to improve the reading ages of both the Year 7 and Year 10 students involved.  Reading Leaders are also trained to go out and support readers in our primary feeders through the Aspire Programme; spreading the reading bug!”

Many children respond well to peer mentoring as communication between young people is natural and easier. Reading Leaders do not set homework or assume superiority, instead they are positive role models who emphasise working in partnership with the younger child and manage one to one reading sessions which are fun and encouraging.

If you would like to find out more about our Reading Leaders training and the difference it can make in your school please follow this link or call Reading Matters on 01274 692219.

Councillor Jane Dodds Spreads a Smile at Reading Matters

We would like to thank Councillor Jane Dodds who came to visit our office last week with her donation of £1000 to Reading Matters from the ‘Spread a Smile’ fund which she managed during her time as Lord Mayor of Bradford. Councillor Dodds is a strong supporter of our work and spoke at the Fundraising Gala Dinner in May while she was still Lord Mayor.

Reading Rocks

Reading Matters are excited to be taking part in the Reading Rocks conference in St Helens on Saturday the 1st of October. It’s destined to be a fun meeting of like-minded, literacy-focused primary school staff and librarians, discussing ways in which we can make reading rock for EVERY single child.

The keynote speakers are Mat Tobin and James Clements and Rachel Owens from Reading Matters will be delivering one of the many workshops taking place during the day, looking at providing the best reading support in schools.  We hope to see you there!

It’s that time of year again, yes, Ilkley Literature Festival is back with a bursting eclectic programme of events to suit every kind of book lover. Big names at the festival this year include Nick Clegg, Sian Williams, Joanne Harris and Tracy Chevalier but there is also a thoughtfully curated programme of events for children and young people. Dame Jacqueline Wilson, one of Britain’s best-selling children’s authors who has written over 100 books, will be talking about her writing career and how she created some of her best-loved characters on the 25th of October. Follow this link to discover the full programme for families and young people.
Happy Reading!

From the team at Reading Matters

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