Six-week reading programmes
Bookmark volunteers deliver six-week 1:1 reading programmes for children aged 5-8 who are falling behind, so that they can gain the necessary skills and confidence to succeed in school and beyond.
Volunteers book fun, flexible 30-minute reading sessions twice a week through the Bookmark app. Currently they are providing much needed online reading support to children in schools across the UK, and with it being reported that one in four children had no schooling or tutoring at all during lockdown, there has never been a more crucial time to support children’s literacy and education.
Bookmark has launched a new matching platform to give schools access to vetted and trained reading volunteers in their area, at the click of a button. From early next year, Bookmark volunteers will also be able to do their training and chat with other Bookmark volunteers - all online, on their mobiles. Through six-week reading programmes, pupils benefit from face-to-face time with Bookmark volunteers who inspire a love of reading and develop pupils’ literacy skills.
Bookmark explains the current situation
1 in 5 children in England are unable to read well when they leave primary school.
The figure rises to 1 in 3, for disadvantaged children in England.
Children unable to read well face difficulties with many subjects at school.
