Cullompton teacher on a reading mission (From Mid Devon Star)

Cullompton teacher on a reading mission

11:00am Saturday 18th July 2009

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A CULLOMPTON primary teacher is set be at the forefront of an initiative to help children who have the greatest difficulty reading.

Sue Whitell, from St Andrew’s, has completed her training as a Reading Recovery teacher.

She was presented with her qualification by Devon County Council’s chief executive Phil Norrey at a special ceremony and joins 22 other Reading Recovery teachers working in Devon schools.

Reading Recovery teachers work with children with the most severe difficulties and provide training, coaching and support to other adults - usually teaching assistants - who deliver lighter-touch interventions for children with less severe needs.

Reading Recovery is an early intervention for children, giving those who have particular difficulties in reading and writing after their first year at primary school. Each teacher works intensively with at least four children daily for a period of between 12 and 20 weeks.

In Devon 86 per cent of children reach the reading level expected for their age in an average of 39 hours of Reading Recovery teaching.

Devon council's Cabinet Member for Schools and Skills, Christine Channon, said: “It is vitally important that children get the basics of literacy and numeracy right.

"Without this they cannot make the most of the wealth of opportunities for learning that are offered in our schools across Devon."

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