According to Save the Children, large numbers of children are failing to reach literacy targets at primary school.

The charity’s Too Young To Fail report says that if children, particularly those from poorer families, are behind with reading by the age of seven they have just over a one-in-five chance of going on to achieve a grade C in English at GCSE.

Figures released by children’s literacy charity Beanstalk reveal that last year one-in-six children left primary school in Bradford unable to read to the required standard.

With higher literacy skills linked not only to better educational and employment prospects, but also emotional development, self-esteem and confidence, the consequences of poor reading levels in later life can be harmful, says Beanstalk.

For the past 40 years, Beanstalk has been helping primary schools by providing volunteer reading helpers, working with children on a one-to-one basis. The charity is currently in urgent need for volunteers in Bradford.

“Our volunteers currently provide 1,365 hours of support each year to more than 120 children in the Bradford district and we have more children waiting,” says area manager Clare Sandford.

Ian Horsman is a retired bank manager who reads with children twice a week at St Cuthbert’s and First Martyrs RC Primary School in Heaton. He currently works with three children, building a relationship based on trust with each one, which helps them develop reading skills and confidence.

“When I retired, I looked for volunteer opportunities and found out about reading helpers through a community newspaper. I’ve been doing it for three-and-a-half years,” says Ian. “The teachers decide which children need extra help with reading and I’m with them for as long as it takes; I worked with one child from Year 3 to 6.

“We work on a one-to-one basis for 30-minute periods; we play little games and try to make it fun. It takes the child away from normal classroom activities, and the focus is on them. Some children are fairly quiet and I try to build a rapport with them, it helps with their confidence.”

Ian approaches each child’s needs differently. While some struggle to read words, others can read well but lack the understanding of what they read.

“Some can read fluently, but if you ask them what they’ve just read they don’t know,” he says. “Some children come from families where English isn’t the first language, so they have that obstacle to overcome. We build up an understanding of words together.”

Reading helpers are recruited and trained by Beanstalk, which also provides ongoing training and support. Feedback from schools is positive, with many teachers reporting improved learning, confidence and class participation as well as reading skills.

“It’s nice to have feedback from teachers,” says Ian. “Reading helps with other subjects, too, as well as literacy and English. It’s very rewarding to know you’ve made a difference to a child’s life in school.”

Beanstalk supports 25 primary schools in the Bradford district.

“We have more than 100 volunteers in Bradford and Leeds, but we’re keen to increase numbers,” says volunteer support worker Helen Wright.

“Literacy development depends largely on access to books, but not all children have books, or the opportunity to read, at home. It could be that there’s no English speaker, they’re from a large, busy family, or nobody at home reads books.”

Reading helpers don’t require qualifications or teaching experience. “We need people who are patient and encouraging, good listeners, understand the importance of literacy, are able to work at a child’s pace and have the confidence to work with a range of ages, from a five to 11 years old,” says Helen.

“Some volunteers are parents, others volunteer around work commitments. Some are looking to change careers and others are retired.”

Potential reading helpers attend a two-day training pro-gramme designed to equip them with the skills, knowledge and confidence to run three individual 30-minute sessions in school. The volunteers are supplied with books and games which can be changed throughout the year.

“Being a reading helper is extremely rewarding,” says Helen. “The children often have made little or no progress in the year before – an extra hour a week of one-to-one support usually results in fantastic progress.”

For details about Beanstalk and volunteer reading helpers, ring (0113) 2776159, or visit beanstalkcharity.org.uk.