Back to School: A Teacher’s Take on the Impact of Schoolreaders Volunteers
- eperks1
- Sep 8
- 2 min read
Updated: Sep 9
Last year, we were delighted to visit one of our partner schools in Cambridgeshire, and had the opportunity to speak to ‘Mr. Dorey’, Head of Year 3. Their School benefits from two of our Schoolreaders Volunteers, and has been a part of the scheme since 2023. Here is what he had to say about Schoolreaders…
“We were delighted to welcome two Schoolreaders volunteers into our Year 3 classes last September. Their support in hearing children read has been invaluable.”
For Mr. Dorey, the value of having Schoolreaders volunteers in class was clear from the start, especially as Schoolreaders is the only national charity to offer their services to schools free of charge.
“In September, one child scored just 6 out of 30 in their PiXL reading test. By July, they had reached 20 out of 30 and had gained almost two years in reading age. Another child went from 2 out of 30 to 14 out of 30 in the same period. But, perhaps the most striking example was a child who began the year refusing to even open a book, but ended it with a real passion and enthusiasm for reading.”
“The regular one-to-one attention provided by the volunteers has not only boosted the fluency and confidence of our pupils, but has also ensured that more children are heard reading consistently each week. This is especially important as not all children have this opportunity at home. This additional support has played a key role in helping us close gaps and provide targeted reading practice, helping many of the children to achieve age related expectations by the end of Year 3.”
“Our volunteers took time to get to know each child as an individual. They offered kindness, encouragement and patience, and the children looked forward to their sessions. The difference was not only measurable in test scores, but also visible in the children’s growing confidence.”
Mr. Dorey also asked some of his pupils what they thought of their reading volunteers. Here’s what they had to say…
“They ask me how I am and help me understand new words.”
“I love going to read with them because they really help me. They are kind and listen to me read.”
“I found it hard at the start of year 3 but I am more confident now. I like finding out facts, but I find longer books tricky.”
As we step into a new school year, the benefits that our volunteers bring to the classroom are clear. The children are entering the next year of their education with stronger skills, more confidence, and, perhaps most importantly of all, a love of reading.
“We are extremely grateful to our volunteers and to the Schoolreaders programme. Their dedication has played a key role in helping us raise attainment and, above all, inspire our children to enjoy reading. The positive impact has been felt across every Year 3 classroom.”
