As this new term begins, we are delighted to share the results of our latest Impact Report which shows the vital difference that tailored one to one support makes to children and young people who struggle with reading.One to one intervention is a great way to help children catch up quickly. It provides an opportunity to get to know a child, understand their particular difficulty with reading as well as what interests and motivates them and then choose appropriate reading resources to encourage and inspire them.

During the last academic year Reading Matters has supported a fantastic total of 6497 children and young people in schools and other settings with reading, communication and confidence so that they can reach their potential and enjoy better chances in life.

On average, after just 10 hours of support (two reading sessions lasting 30 minutes every week for a 10 week period) the reading age of a child helped by a Reading Matters’ Reading Mentor or Reading Leader improved by 13 months, and in many cases by much more.

In addition, 98% of children who were helped by one of our interventions demonstrated a marked improvement in reading ability and 90% said that their confidence and self-esteem had improved.

One girl from year 7 who had previously always found reading difficult explained how working in partnership with a Reading Mentor really helped her: “I feel a lot more confident in class now that I can read correctly and I enjoy reading different sorts of books and want to read more and more!”.

Our Impact report is compiled at the end of each academic year using assessment data provided by Reading Matters’ Reading Mentors and Reading Leaders who are specially trained to get the best out of their one to one reading sessions with children and young people.

During 2016-17 there was a substantial increase in the number of Reading Leaders we trained in primary schools. Reading Leaders are older pupils who act as positive role models for younger pupils who need extra support with literacy. The scheme is a great way of improving confidence and self-esteem as well as reading and communication skills. In secondary schools the scheme is accredited, enabling those aged 14 and over to gain a level 2 accreditation in recognition of their commitment to helping younger children.

There are still a few places available this autumn term to train Reading Leaders, Reading Mentors, Reading Teams and Reading Families. Please contact Reading Matters on 01274 692219 or info@readingmatters.org.uk if you would like more information about any of our programmes.

 

We are excited to be working in partnership with Kirkgate Shopping in Bradford to help find this year’s ‘Young War Poet’. The poetry competition, which encourages children to read about war history and write an original poem on the topic of war, was launched on the 9th of September and will be judged by well-known spoken word artist, writer and author Anthony Anaxagorou. All entries should be sent to press@kirkgateshopping.co.uk before the 1st of November 2017. The three winning entrants will perform their poem live at the shopping centre on Armistice Day, Saturday the 11th of November, beside the Royal British Legion. Prizes include an iPad, tickets to see War Horse at the Alhambra Theatre and Kirkgate Shopping vouchers. Rachel Kelly, Reading Matters’ Chief Executive commented, “Last year in England over 63,000 children left primary school unable to read to the expected level so we really appreciate Kirkgate Shopping’s commitment to this competition which recognises the importance of literacy.”

 

We need dedicated and enthusiastic adult volunteers to support children with reading in Doncaster. Volunteers need to be available for a couple of hours each week and be keen to share their love of reading with young people for whom it is currently a challenge. If you would like to find out more about becoming a Reading Mentor please contact us on 01274 692219 or info@readingmatters.org.uk.