Glasgow lawyers help to boost literacy levels
Schools in Glasgow are boosting child literacy levels by taking part in the Paired Reading Partners programme developed by Learning and Teaching Scotland.
Glasgow’s Education Services and Learning and Teaching Scotland teamed up with Glasgow law firm Semple Fraser to enable six of their trainee employees to take part in the programme. Running from October 2008 to June 2009, the initiative has been hugely successful and has benefited both the children from the schools involved and the trainees from Semple Fraser.
Bernard McLeary, Chief Executive of Learning and Teaching Scotland, said:
"The benefits to both the trainees and the children are hugely significant. The Semple Fraser model is an interesting example of how workplaces can make valuable contributions to the local community and in turn enhance the working environment for their staff."
The legal trainees reported that the successes and the challenges they had encountered enhanced their own interpersonal and organisational skills, with one trainee saying she felt she was now more reflective in her own area of work and another that he had become more confident in dealing with a variety of people.
Ian Anderson of Semple Fraser said:
"Prior to going into schools and working with the children, our volunteers received training in paired reading from a literacy tutor at Glasgow City Council. Each volunteer assigned to St Mungo’s Academy worked with on average two pupils once a week, with sessions lasting for around 20 minutes. Those involved at Miller Primary were each assigned to one pupil. Our volunteers welcomed the opportunity to work in a different environment and felt that the successes they had and the challenges they encountered enhanced their own interpersonal and organisational skills."
Jonathan Findlay, Executive Member for Education at Glasgow City Council, said,
"The trainees at Semple Fraser are to be congratulated for putting their time and energy into this great programme, each working with an average of two children per week for sessions of approximately 20 minutes. I know that the children and young people at the schools involved have all benefited enormously in getting the extra help and encouragement to improve their reading skills."
Miller Primary School and St Mungo’s Academy have reported benefits to the children. Sheona Allen, Acting Headteacher at Miller Primary School, said:
"In Miller Primary, the programme has been a huge success. The children have gained in confidence and we have seen an increase in their attainment. The lawyers involved have been great role models and as a result the children are now showing an enjoyment of books and are much happier at joining in language activities within their class."
John Reilly, Headteacher at St Mungo’s Academy, also talked about the success of the programme saying:
"All of our young people involved thoroughly enjoyed the experience and their involvement in the programme. Our readers from Semple Fraser have been first class tutors who have all clearly benefited from taking part."
For more information on the Paired Reading Partners programme contact: Ian Anderson
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