Reading scheme changed our lives, family tells Lords
AFAMILY from Bristol has spoken in Parliament about how taking part in reading programme ‘changed their lives’.
Sophie Shirt and her son Gus spoke about their experiences of taking part in the Reading Recovery Programme at a reception in the House of Lords in London.
The event was held to mark the launch of new research highlighting the impact of the programme 10 years after children received the intervention.
Reading Recovery is a school-based literacy programme for the lowest achieving children aged five or six, which enables them to reach ageexpected levels within 20 weeks.
The programme run in schools and involves a short series of one-to-one, tailored lessons for 30 minutes every day with a specially trained teacher.
Sophie said: “Gus was invited to take part in Reading Recovery when he was in year 1 as he was finding reading very tricky and was struggling to find a space in which his own voice could be heard in class.
“This was impacting on his confidence, his learning across the board, and his feelings about going to school.
“Being supported by the Reading Recovery programme was a blessing as it caught Gus at a critical time in his own personal development.
“It made a significant difference to him and to us as a family and I was immediately struck by the holistic, child-centred approach that was taken.
“Like most parents, I have many hopes and dreams for my children and it was wonderful to see how the programme helped Gus to re-set the path he is on and grow in confidence.”
Sophie and Gus were joined at the reception by reading recovery teachers from Glenfrome Primary, Whitehall Primary and Oasis Academy Bankleaze as well as representatives from Bristol City Council and the University of the West of England (UWE Bristol).
Gus, nine, said: “When I was younger, I really liked Spider-Man. In fact I was mad about it. I used to spend quite a bit of time upside down on the top of our sofa, or hanging off the banisters at home. I didn’t like school much as I was finding learning really hard, especially reading.
“My Reading Recovery teacher asked me what I liked reading about and I said that I liked Spider-Man. She asked me if I’d like to make a book about Spider-Man and I said yes.
“With her help I could see that my reading was getting better which made me feel really good about myself and I started to enjoy school more. Reading Recovery inspired me to make more books when I get older. Now I love reading cartoon books now and I do drawing and writing every day.”
Two new independent research reports, commissioned by the KPMG Foundation, to explore the long term benefits of Reading Recovery were launched at the reception.
The research found that the intervention helps close the GCSE attainment gap between these children needing support and their peers.
For more information about the Reading Recovery programme visit: https://www.ucl.ac.uk/reading-recovery-europe/reading-recovery.