Teachers help to make 'every child a reader'

2:58pm Monday 16th July 2007

FOUR teachers from Mid Devon are helping to lead the way in a pioneering reading programme, which is set to benefit hundreds of children in Devon.

The programme "Every Child A Reader" is targeted at some of the least able six-year-old readers in Devon, in which pupil's receive intensive one-to-one teaching.

Following a pilot in Devon, 85% of the children who took part have gone from not being able to read at all to reading at the level expected for their age.

Many of these 113 children have made two years' progress in reading age with around 38 hours of specialist teaching.

Dr Norrey said: "It is estimated nationally 6% of children leave primary school each year well below the expected literacy level for their age.

"That means they often struggle in secondary school and do not obtain the qualifications they need to get a fulfilling job.

"Reading Recovery allows children to make great progress in their reading and there is considerable evidence to show they maintain that progress throughout their school careers and carry on developing with their peers."

The initiative is now set to be rolled-out across Devon with specially qualified "reading recovery teachers" sharing their skills with fellow teachers.

The four qualified teachers from Mid Devon were presented with their certificates by Devon County Council chief executive Phil Norrey at a special ceremony at Tiverton Hotel.

Devon County Council's Primary Strategy Consultant with responsibility for Reading Recovery, Janet Ferris, said: "The Every Child A Reader project has turned an aspiration into reality. Schools can now afford to intervene early in a child's development with specialist one-to-one teaching.

"I think what our teachers have achieved is phenomenal - they have literally changed the futures of so many of our most vulnerable children, and now with continued funding, they will continue to change many more futures."