One-to-one Reading Programme
Our one-to-one reading programme offers support for children in Years one to five who are at risk of not meeting the expected standard for reading.
How it works
Our volunteer-led reading programme provides our partner schools with access to one-to-one reading support for the children who need it most. These pupils will read with the same trained volunteer, once or twice a week for 30 minutes, either face-to-face or on our secure online platform.
To make this support available to as many children as possible, we offer our programmes at a cost of just £1 per session. We give more than this financial cost back to schools through books, resources, grants and access to various subscriptions. We also have a hardship fund available for schools if they are unable to pay this amount.
Boosting confidence and reading engagement
Discover our online reading programme and hear directly from the children about how it has boosted their confidence, self-esteem and love for reading.
How our reading programme works
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We recruit, check and train reading volunteers
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Schools post reading programmes on our School Hub
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Our volunteers sign up to a reading programme
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Reading sessions take place to help change children’s stories
What are the reading sessions like?
Children will read stories and play games in a 30-minute session. This will either be face-to-face or on our secure online platform that has lots of resources to choose from.
Our reading programme can improve children’s literacy skills as well as their confidence and enjoyment in reading.
I would say this is the BEST reading programme we have ever participated in. It allows the valuable one-to-one time to read, which staff in schools struggle to find in school. The volunteers are amazing, and the children truly love their sessions.
Our impact
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118,072
reading sessions delivered to date
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7,460
children reached through our reading programme
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95%
of teachers saw an increase in children’s reading confidence
The most important difference I have noted is wanting to read! The children are wanting to read and enjoying it, which wasn’t the case before. So, thank you.
Bookmark Reading: Review of programmes
The National Literacy Trust reviewed our one-to-one reading programme, finding our programmes to be well designed and evidence-based.
National Literacy Trust review of our programmes
pdf 499.661 KB
Additional resources available
By running reading programmes, you’ll also have access to grants and resources, dedicated account managers, termly Rocket Packs, classroom resources, The Story Corner magazine and book clubs.
Benefits to your pupils
Our reading programme is evidence-based and has been evaluated by the National Literacy Trust. Reading sessions are structured with varied and engaging content. This includes a wide range of books, games and activities as the aim is for struggling readers to be encouraged to choose what they want to read.
Reading mentors
Our Reading Mentor programme allows 16 to 17-year-olds to volunteer weekly, reading with children aged 5 – 10. It enhances CVs, UCAS applications and counts towards Duke of Edinburgh or International Baccalaureate CAS hours.
Our packages for school partners
Explore the levels of support and literacy resources we provide for our partner schools.
I have seen a huge difference in the children’s attitudes around reading. They are now choosing their own texts in the classroom and are being far more vocal now that they consider themselves to be good readers. Most of our Year 3 pupils on the reading programme have made between four to five months' progress over the 12 weeks and two formerly disengaged boys have made 11 months and 16 months progress' respectively – it’s fantastic!
Frequently asked questions
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We host reading programmes during school terms and these take place during school hours to suit the school.
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We want to support as many schools as we can with our programmes and therefore, thanks to the generosity of our donors, we have kept the cost to schools as low as possible and offer programmes for £12 per child, which equates to just £1 per completed reading session.
We provide schools with many additional benefits such as termly book bundles, grants, book clubs, The Story Corner magazine, plus access to training and webinars.
Sessions that are cancelled ahead of time are not chargeable, however, Bookmark will not provide package benefits to schools that cancel more than 20% of booked reading sessions.
Find out more about our programmes
We partner with schools to develop a whole school reading culture and provide one-to-one reading support.
