We improve childhood literacy by providing
volunteers to give one-to-one reading practice to children in primary schools. Help us by getting involved, donating or volunteering
Many children are leaving primary school unable to read to the expected level; that was one in every four children in 2018*.
If a child is unable to read properly at this stage the consequences can be lifelong as they can face difficulties accessing secondary education fully.
One reason why many children are falling behind with their reading is that they lack opportunities to read one-to-one with an adult.
Schoolreaders helps to address this by recruiting volunteers to listen to children read in primary schools. The volunteers are matched to an appropriate local school. The scheme has proved extremely successful, showing the extent of the need for this service, which is free to schools.
Everyone benefits from the scheme; the children, the schools and the volunteers themselves, who gain a great deal of pleasure from seeing what a difference a little of their time makes to a child's reading ability, confidence and enjoyment.
Why Schoolreaders?
COVID-19:
Information for Volunteers and Schools.
Please see the message at the bottom of this page.
A competition for primary-aged children. Whether you are a parent/carer or a teacher, this is a great way to encourage reading and creative writing this summer! Click here for more information.
Lots of us have tried out new creative pastimes - or revisited old ones - over the last few months. Check back here in a few days for information on our art and craft competition. We're delighted that Emma Bridgewater is one of our panel of judges.
We need your help!
Why not get involved in one of our competitions?
This summer we're running competitions for children and adults. So harness your creativity, have fun, and help us give children vital literacy support when they return to school this autumn.
About Schoolreaders
Watch our short film to find out what our charity does and to hear from some of the children benefitting from our support.
COVID-19: Information for
Volunteers and Schools.
Because of the COVID-19 outbreak Schoolreaders volunteers are not providing their usual reading support sessions in schools. When Government advice indicates that volunteers can once again safely visit their schools, reading support sessions will start again with individual Schoolreaders re-joining the scheme when they feel comfortable going back to the classroom environment. Prolonged school closures will mean that there is a greater need than ever for their work and we are actively recruiting new volunteers. Please click here to find out more.
Click here to find out how we are responding to the crisis.
The wellbeing of volunteers and of our partner school communities is of the utmost importance to us.
Therefore, please keep updated using these government website and NHS website links.
The government guidance for education settings in relation to COVID-19 is available by clicking here.
If you have any concerns please don't hesitate to contact us on
* National Curriculum Assessments: Key Stage 2, 2018 (provisional). Published by the Department for Education and Standards and Testing Agency, 4/9/2018