Reading Partners at Scott Primary School
Two Lower Sixth Formers have been visiting Scott Primary School every Wednesday during term time, listening to a group of children read and helping them develop their confidence as well as their reading skills.
Aims
To provide Scott Primary School with Lower Sixth pupils who can help the younger children with their reading.
In order to help alleviate pressure from teachers and teaching assistants, Lower Sixth boys from Bedford School have been visiting Scott Primary School weekly to listen to the younger children read.
Background
The exercise, which is now a regular weekly fixture in the boys’ timetable, forms part of a wider ‘Community Partnerships’ school initiative which will see more boys than ever working in partnership with community groups such as schools and care homes.
The initiative allows us to engage fully with the world around us, especially with our local town, at both an individual and at institutional level and help us to play our part. We aim to teach responsible citizenship to our boys, to act as a responsible organisation and to encourage harmony amongst people of varying backgrounds.
Resources
The boys were briefed by the Head Teacher of Scott Primary, Mrs Barker, before they started the guided reading with the children.
No resources from Bedford School used, as the children have their own reading books that they read to the Sixth Form boys from.
Impact
Scott Primary’s Head Teacher Mrs Barker told us, “We are so grateful for the opportunity that Bedford School are offering. It is a fabulous way to share the love of reading and it gives our children another opportunity to be heard reading.”
One of the Sixth Former volunteers said of the experience afterwards, “It’s nice to interact with children outside of Bedford School. It’s very rewarding especially when you’re with the child when they finish a book. It feels like I have done a little bit to help them achieve that.”
Pupil Involvement
Two Sixth Formers, who work each week with a group of around seven primary school age children.
Frequency
Weekly during term time.
