Prime Highlights:
- Volunteer program Read With Me is helping children become more confident, creative, and imaginative while improving their reading skills.
- Students are enjoying reading more, with many saying it helps them learn new words, understand instructions, and pursue future ambitions.
Key Facts:
- Read With Me operates in 110 out of 244 primary schools in Gloucestershire, supported by around 500 volunteers.
- A National Literacy Trust survey shows that only one in three children aged 8 to 18 read for pleasure, highlighting the importance of initiatives like this.
Background:
Children in Gloucestershire are showing more interest in reading thanks to a volunteer program that is boosting both literacy and confidence in schools.
Read With Me, a local charity, is active in 110 out of 244 primary schools in the county. About 500 volunteers help by listening to children read, which not only builds the students’ confidence and creativity but also gives teachers extra support in the classroom.
With the National Year of Reading approaching, the charity plans to extend its program so it can reach all primary schools in Gloucestershire.
The initiative comes amid wider concerns about declining reading habits among young people. A recent survey by the National Literacy Trust showed that just one in three children aged 8 to 18 enjoys reading in their free time, a fall of 36% since 2005. The drop is especially clear among younger children and boys aged 11 to 16. To address this, the Education Committee has started a Reading for Pleasure inquiry and is asking for input.
Volunteers from Read With Me regularly visit Hillside Primary School in Gloucester to help students with their reading. Founder Linda Cohen said the charity does more than just improve children’s reading levels.
Linda Cohen explained that schools often report improvements in children’s reading, but teaching has become more demanding. Many teachers don’t have enough time to listen to every student read, so the volunteers step in to make sure all children are heard while teachers concentrate on the rest of the lessons.
Teachers also stress the importance of parental involvement. Year 3 teacher Cannie James said reading with children at home can have a big impact. She explained that sharing books, talking about stories, and asking questions about what children read is very important at this age.
Linda Cohen has invited Helen Hayes, chair of the Education Committee, to visit the charity’s sessions and see the results for herself. She added that children are gaining confidence, becoming more creative, and enjoying sharing books, even encouraging their parents to read along with them.
