Story: Kath Hobson
Since Summer 2011, a number of volunteers have given up their time to sit and listen to children read at Firs Hill.
Volunteers are lots of different people including parents, council workers, community members, governors, retired teachers and University students.
This year the school set up focus groups to improve the project and move it forward.
Volunteers have been provided with more training and support, teachers have provided a specific focus for each child to help the volunteers target the main struggles the child faces in reading.
In just a few short weeks everyone’s self esteem and confidence has grown and has had a very positive impact on the children’s progress.
At the end of last year monitoring and evaluation of the project showed many children moving up levels in their reading.
The Reading Volunteers also benefit as it gives them valuable experience and fantastic references if they wish to take up a career in education.
The Reading Volunteers Group will continue to support the children in reading in 2013 when we hope to get lots more parents involved in a big reading initiative in school.