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  • Help us by donating, fundraising or volunteering

    How can you help? We are a very cost-efficient charity and can provide a weekly one-to-one reading support session for a child for a whole academic year for an average of just £30. What a small amount to transform a child's opportunities in life! Schoolreaders is the only national charity to offer reading support to schools for free. This means that any child who needs support, regardless of the financial circumstances of their school, can benefit. While our volunteers generously give their time for nothing, we still have to raise funds to administer the scheme. Our small paid team matches volunteers with schools and supports both thereafter, ensuring that the relationship between the two is long-lasting and rewarding for both. Donate Click here to make a donation. Your generosity will help us to reach the many thousands of children across the UK who need our support. Remember us in your Will Would you consider leaving a Gift in your Will to help future generations of children improve their literacy and fulfil their potential? If so, please click here to find out how. Make an 'In Memory' Gift Would you like to remember a loved one or friend by making a donation? Please click here to find out how. Corporate supporters Joining Schoolreaders as a company supporter offers you a unique opportunity to help us and to have a positive impact in your community and among your staff. Click here to find out more. Fundraise for us There are many ways to raise money for us - click here to see what others have done, and to find out how to pay in any funds you raise. Raise funds as you shop Help us raise funds each time you shop online. Buy from over 2,700 retailers ​and they will give a donation every time you buy something at no extra cost to you. Click here to find out how it works. Keep up with what's going on at Schoolreaders by reading our newsletter. Please click here to subscribe now. Sign up for our newsletter Trust supporters Please click here if you are a representative of a Trust and would like to find out more about how you could help Schoolreaders. Every £10 gives one child reading support for a whole term Every £30 gives one child reading support for a whole year A gift of £5 a month will support 2 children for a year A gift of £25 a month will support 1 0 children for a whole year What your donation means ...

  • Tackling the UK's childhood literacy problem with reading support

    Impact Report 2020 Please click here if you'd like to see a copy of our latest Accounts.

  • Who are we? | Schoolreaders

    Who are we? The Schoolreaders model is very simple and cost-effective due to the high ratio of volunteers to staff. There are over 130 volunteers per staff member. The charity is run by a board of Trustees and senior management team. Our reading volunteers The most important people at Schoolreaders are our volunteers who give up their time to go into schools and support children's reading. Schoolreaders come from all sorts of backgrounds - the thing that unites them is their genuine passion for inspiring children with a love of reading. Many of our volunteers have been with the scheme since it started, and say that their school visits are one of the high points of their week. ​ Click here to go to our 'All About Volunteering' page where you can read profiles of some of our volunteer readers. Our staff team The day-to-day administration of Schoolreaders is run by a small team of paid staff who are based at our offices in Bedford. These f ull-time staff are assisted by a management committee of volunteers, and by a nationwide network of voluntary county teams. ​ Follow these links to read about our: - Leadership Team, Trustees and Special Advisers - Behind the Scenes - Voluntary County Ambassadors - Voluntary County Supporters Our author supporters We're very lucky that many wonderful writers and illustrators are supporters of the Schoolreaders scheme and endorse our efforts to make good literacy skills available to every child. Read about our 'Author Supporters' by clicking here .

  • Corporate Supporters | Schoolreaders

    Why partner with Schoolreaders? Joining Schoolreaders as a company supporter offers you a unique opportunity. You'll be helping us provide the reading support that so many children desperately need, and your company will have a positive impact in the communities that matter most to your staff and customers. ​ A NATIONWIDE CHARITY WITH STRONG LOCAL PARTNERSHIPS Schoolreaders volunteers are working in schools the length and breadth of the country and each week they are providing over 20,000 children with a one to one reading session. So whether your business has a national profile, or wants to make life better for children in your particular part of the country, we're the perfect partner for you. ​ WE'LL BE WORKING WITH YOU TO ACHIEVE YOUR GOALS Whether we work together in a long-term partnership, or your staff become involved in volunteering for us or running fundraising events on our behalf, our corporate partnerships team will work closely with you. As well as finding ways to fulfil our own objectives, we'll be making sure that we build a partnership with you that delivers real business benefits while also enhancing your reputation and brand identity. ​ ​ EMPLOYEE ENGAGEMENT Everybody recognises the benefits of good literacy to the individual and to society as a whole, and the chance to support a scheme like Schoolreaders will be viewed positively by your staff. Employees who take part in socially responsible initiatives can benefit in many ways, gaining a stronger feeling of team membership, enjoying a boost to morale, and ultimately strengthening their loyalty to an employer who demonstrates positive core values. ​ ​ GIVING SOMETHING BACK Don't miss the opportunity of telling your customers and client base about your support for Schoolreaders. Spreading the word about community involvement showcases your corporate values and earns you customer loyalty. You could even consider getting your customers to join in; our corporate partnerships team can help you develop fundraising ideas that draw in your customers as well as your staff - after all, everyone likes to feel that they are giving something back. ​ ​ IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO KNOW MORE... If you want to find out more, please email funding@schoolreaders.org Click here to find out how other companies have supported us

  • Help UK children's reading by making a gift in your Will

    Remember us in your Will Please consider remembering Schoolreaders in your Will. Making a Gift in your Will, no matter what size, is a unique way of ensuring that future generations of children will receive the reading help they need. The impact of your generosity on those children will last for the rest of their lives. Children who can read well are more likely to: - Complete their education - Get a job - Lead a healthy life - Read with their own children and grandchildren ​ And leaving a charity Gift in your Will makes financial sense too, as charitable gifts can reduce the tax on your estate. ​ Should you wish to remember Schoolreaders in your Will, you can choose to leave either a fixed amount or a share of the residue of your estate. ​ It is often more suitable for you to leave a fractional percentage of your estate to all those you want to benefit from your inheritance. If you would like to leave a share of the residue of your estate, your professional adviser may find the following helpful: ​ ‘I/We give all/a share of (please state fraction/percentage) the residue of my/our estate to Schoolreaders of Bedford Heights, Brickhill Drive, Bedford, MK41 7PH, Registered Charity Number 1159157, to be applied for the general purposes of Schoolreaders, and I/we direct that the receipt of a proper officer for the time being of Schoolreaders shall be a complete discharge to my/our Executors.’ ​ Should you wish to make a gift of a fixed amount, set out below is suggested wording which your professional adviser can use: ​ ‘I/We give to Schoolreaders of Bedford Heights, Brickhill Drive, Bedford, MK41 7PH, Registered Charity Number 1159157, to be applied for the general purposes of Schoolreaders, the sum of (amount in figures, amount in words) and I/we direct that the receipt of a proper officer for the time being of Schoolreaders shall be a complete discharge to my/our Executors.’ For a copy of our 'Making a Gift in your Will' leaflet please click here or contact us by email or phone - details are at the bottom of this page A message from award-winning writer Sophie Neville, who played 'Titty' in the original film of 'Swallows and Amazons' (1974) As a child, I was a very slow reader until I received extra help. I have left a Gift in my Will to Schoolreaders as I believe wholeheartedly that every child should have the chance to learn to read well. “ “ Tricia Gage, a Schoolreaders supporter, says: As a mother and grandmother I believe very strongly in helping future generations of children to read well, so I have put Schoolreaders in my Will’ “ “ Hear from some of the children benefitting from time spent with a Schoolreader each week: Jane Whitbread, Schoolreaders' Founder Children’s life-chances are being transformed with Schoolreaders’ help. As Founder, I believe passionately in its future. I have left a Gift in my Will to Schoolreaders, and I hope you will consider joining me. “ “ Please let us know if you have decided to include Schoolreaders in your Will as we do like to say thank you. Your reply will be treated in the strictest confidence and is not legally binding. It is entirely up to you whether you wish to provide any details about your gift. If you would like to receive a copy of our 'Making A Gift in your Will' leaflet, or if you want to speak to one of our team, please call 01234 924 333. ​

  • Terms and conditions website usage | Schoolreaders

    Terms and Conditions of Website Usage Welcome to our website. If you continue to browse and use this website you are agreeing to comply with and be bound by the following terms and conditions of use, which together with our privacy policy govern Schoolreaders' relationship with you in relation to this website. If you disagree with any part of these terms and conditions, please do not use our website. The term “Schoolreaders” or “us” or “we” refers to the owner of the website. The term “you” refers to the user or viewer of our website. The use of this website is subject to the following terms of use: • The content of the pages of this website is for your general information and use only. It is subject to change without notice. • Neither we nor any third parties provide any warranty or guarantee as to the accuracy, timeliness, performance, completeness or suitability of the information and materials found or offered on this website for any particular purpose. You acknowledge that such information and materials may contain inaccuracies or errors and we expressly exclude liability for any such inaccuracies or errors to the fullest extent permitted by law. • Your use of any information or materials on this website is entirely at your own risk, for which we shall not be liable. It shall be your own responsibility to ensure that any services or information available through this website meet your specific requirements. • This website contains material which is owned by or licensed to us. This material includes, but is not limited to, the design, layout, look, appearance and graphics. Reproduction is prohibited without Schoolreaders' prior written consent. • Unauthorised use of this website may give rise to a claim for damages and/or be a criminal offence. • From time to time this website may also include links to other websites. These links are provided for your convenience to provide further information. They do not signify that we endorse the website(s). We have no responsibility for the content of the linked website(s). • You may not create a link to this website from another website or document without Schoolreaders' prior written consent. • Your use of this website and any dispute arising out of such use of the website is subject to the laws of England and Wales. 25/5/2018

  • State of Primary School Reading Survey 2021

    Schoolreaders Primary School Impact Research 2022 Annual research in partnership with The Institute of Research in Education The need for and impact of Schoolreaders volunteers in Primary Schools. Impact of Schoolreaders volunteers on Primary School children. Survey compiled from results from over 170 primary schools.

  • Free reading volunteers in primary schools from Schoolreaders

    What do we do? Schoolreaders goal is for all children, regardless of background, to leave primary school being able to read well so they can go on to access their secondary education fully and maximise their future life chances. Established in 2013, Schoolreaders matches volunteers to local primary schools - focusing on schools with the greatest need - where they give one-to-one reading sessions. ​ Just ten minutes a week with one of our volunteers has been shown to improve children’s reading fluency, comprehension and enjoyment. It also gives them valuable time with an adult who is not a teacher or parent which aids their social skills. The Fair Education Alliance reinforces this need saying children need to ‘engage with a wide range of adults including volunteers and businesses to support their literacy.’ Currently, our volunteers support 16,500 children every week. With some children affected by the pandemic and others coping with Special Needs or language development difficulties, there is no one size fits all for children. Under 11s develop their reading skills at different speeds and tailored one-to-one support is ideal for developing their reading experience in their formative years. ​ Click here to view our most recent Accounts and here to see our latest Impact Report. Why are we needed? Where do we work? Who are we? Discover some of the facts behind the UK's literacy problem, and see why our service is so urgently needed. Recognition of the Schoolreaders scheme: "Evidence is clear that where school reading volunteers are involved in a structured programme and given appropriate training and support, for instance by charities such as …. Schoolreaders, the results can be highly effective." Lord Nash, Conservative Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Schools (2013-2017) ​ "We are delighted with the success of the Schoolreaders project and believe it will play an important contribution helping children learn to read and in them becoming established independent readers. This project has our full support and we are extremely grateful to the volunteers who give up their time so generously." Councillor Henry Vann, Portfolio Holder for Education, Bedford Borough Council "Having been an English teacher at an inner-city comprehensive, I know how difficult it is when children arrive at senior school being unable to read properly. It puts them at such a disadvantage. Schoolreaders is a brilliant idea, not just for an individual child, but for society as a whole." Allison Pearson, Chief Interviewer on the Daily Telegraph, and author of international bestseller, 'I Don't Know How She Does It'. ​ The Worshipful Company of Grocers ‘We are delighted to be funding you. The Committee thought your operating model was brilliant!’ Our network has spread rapidly since we were founded in 2013. View our map to see where we operate. Schoolreaders is run by a small team of full-time staff with the help of lots of volunteers. Find out who we are.

  • Tackling the UK's childhood literacy problem with reading support

    Why are we needed? Around a quarter of all children left primary school last year unable to read well. These children are at a disadvantage because they are unable to access their secondary education properly, and this has lifelong consequences. Good literacy at an early age improves academic achievement and this leads to greater opportunities of all kinds in adulthood. Unfortunately the statistics on UK reading ability are stark: - One in four children left primary school in 2022 unable to read to the required standard. School closures caused by the Covid crisis will almost certainly have made this statistic worse. ​ -Only around half (51%) of disadvantaged pupils reached the expected standard of reading at Key stage 1. ​ - Children who read for pleasure at the age of 11 are far more likely to go on to have a positive experience of school and have much improved life chances. - The National Literacy Trust estimated that in 2021, there were 7.1 million functionally illiterate adults in the United Kingdom, who will likely have difficulty reading the front page of a broadsheet newspaper, understanding the instructions on a medicine bottle, sitting a theory test for a driver’s licence, or succeeding in writing a job application. ​ 1 3 2 4 Research suggests that there could be a strong link between raising levels of childhood literacy and lowering the risk of offending. - Nearly half (48%) of young offenders have a reading age below that of an 11-year-old whilst 40% of those in prison have poor reading skills. -Sadly 57% of people entering the prison system have literacy skills lower than those expected of an 11-year-old. ​ ​​ 6 5 SOURCES 1. National curriculum assessments at Key Stage 2 in England, 2022, www.gov.uk , updated 15th December 2022, Department for Education 2. KS1 phonics screening check attainment, www.Gov.uk, October 2022 3. 'Mental wellbeing, reading and writing' Report from The Literacy T rust, October 2018 4 . Adult Literacy (2021), The National Literacy Trust. 5. OLASS English and Maths assessments, (2018) 6. Prison education: a review of reading education in prisons (2022)

  • Get quizzing! Here are the questions for the new Schoolreaders Book Club Quiz

    Welcome to the quiz... and GOOD LUCK! When you're ready to send us your answers, click on the button below the question sheet to be taken to our online answer form. If you would prefer to download or print the questions, please click on the button at the bottom of this page for a pdf. Top of SBCQ 2021 questions Take me to bottom of page bottom of SBCQ 2021 questions Click here for printable quiz questions Click here to send us your answers Click here to donate! NB, our answer form will open in a new window so that you can see both the questions and the answer form at the same time. Simply resize them on your screen so that they don't overlap. Take me to top of page

  • Raise funds to help us give UK children reading support

    Challenge yourself for Schoolreaders Do you have a lifetime ambition, want to achieve a fitness goal or are you marking a significant milestone birthday or anniversary? There are so many ways to have fun whilst fundraising for Schoolreaders – the only limit is your imagination! ​ You could run, cycle or skydive for us, take on a sponsored reading challenge or organise your own activity from a cake sale to a coffee morning to a literary quiz! ​ Run Walk Cycle Run or cycle for us! Do you have a charity race place? We'd love to hear from you if you would like to run for Schoolreaders! ​ Popular UK charity marathons and half marathons ​ ​ Edinburgh Marathon - 29 May 2022 Great North Run - 11 September 2022 London Marathon - 2 October 2022 Manchester Half Marathon – 9 October 2022 Oxford Half Marathon – 17 October 2022 Brighton Marathon – 2 April 2023 Manchester Marathon – 16 April 2023 Popular UK charity bike rides ​ RideLondon - 27/28 May 2022 - 100 km Nightrider London - 11-12 June 2022 - 50 or 100km London to Brighton - 19 June 2022 - 60 miles Chilterns Beast - 17 July 2022. - 100 miles London to Paris - 14-18 September 2022 - 300 miles New Forest Charity Bike Ride - 25 September 2022 -30-60 miles options Fred Whitton Saddleback Challenge, Lake District - May 2023 - 116 miles ​ Popular UK Walks ​ Keswick to Barrow - 6 May 2023 ​ Support from the Schoolreaders Team Our friendly fundraising team is here to support you every step of the way with motivation and advice on how to maximise your fundraising. Give us a call on 01234 924111 or email us on fundraising@schoolreaders.org to tell us what you’re doing and we’ll look after you all the way. Or, you can fill in this short form. Everyone that supports us will receive xxxxx.

  • Tap into your creative side and enter our competition

    Entries to the Create competition are now closed. Winners will be revealed on the 8th October. You can still donate by clicking here . Thank you for supporting Schoolreaders. Have you used time in lockdown to tap into your creativity? Imagine if the fun and energy that you've felt while pursuing creative projects could be used to help children who have fallen behind with their reading during the COVID-19 crisis. Why not enter our competition and help fund vital literacy support for children who need it? Any donation, large or small, is gratefully received but, if you can, please donate £15 - the amount it costs us to provide a weekly reading session for a child for a year. ​ # CreateThenDonate ​ Our judges won’t be looking for perfection or for technical expertise. They want to see something imaginative, interesting, moving or inspiring, and to hear a few words on the story behind your creation. ​ Prizes as follows: Painting and Drawing: An original Hugo Guinness linocut in a vintage frame Photography: A framed Harry Cory Wright photographic print Needlework and Textiles: A framed needlework from Thread the Word Embroidery Other Creations: A personalised Emma Bridgewater teapot The ‘creations’ of the winner and 2 runners-up from each category will feature in an exhibition in leading London art gallery, Wilson Stephens and Jones, before Christmas. The top 10 entrants from each category will feature in a special online exhibition on the Schoolreaders website. ​ We are very grateful to Wilson Stephens and Jones for their support. ​ ​ All winners and runners-up will be announced on the Schoolreaders website on 8th October 2020 ​ Judging the competition Our judges: EMMA BRIDGEWATER is the creative genius and inspired entrepreneur who brought the British pottery industry back from the brink and whose cheery china is loved around the world. Emma will judge our 'Other Creations' category. HUGO GUINNESS is a New-York based artist, famous for his linocuts. He has a second string writing for Hollywood and is best know for the Oscar-winning 'Grand Budapest Hotel'. Hugo will judge our 'Painting & Drawing' category. HARRY CORY WRIGHT is a landscape photographer who takes his inspiration from wild places including the coast around his Norfolk home. Harry will judge our 'Photography' category. SARAH FOOT is a whizz with a needle and thread and sells her embroidered creations - many of which are fabulous up-cyclings - via her company Thread the Word Embroidery. Sarah will judge for our 'Needlework and Textiles' category. If you have any questions please contact us via competition@schoolreaders.org or telephone us on 01234 924333 ​ ​ I don't want to CREATE! but I'd like to donate Click here for our full competition Terms and Conditions CREATE! entry form Thank you for taking part and for supporting children's reading! To find out more about Schoolreaders and our volunteers, please click here or use these links ​

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