Firm’s interest pays off for keen pupils

3:20am Wednesday 24th October 2007

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Pupils at three schools have vastly improved their reading age following one-to-one mentoring with volunteers at Bradford loans company Provident Financial.

Children at St Anthony's RC, St James's Church and Clayton CE, received a total of 700 reading sessions in the space of a year with trained Provident employees as part of Business in the Community's Right to Read scheme.

The children undertook reading tests before the scheme started and at the end of the year so their progress could be assessed.

One pupil at St Anthony's had a reading ability below the measure of the initial test but ended the year with a reading age of an eight-year-old. And a pupil at Clayton Primary leaped from a reading age of a four-year-old to that of a ten-year-old.

The scheme's success has led to three more Bradford primary schools taking part this year supported by a further 16 Provident volunteers. Elaine Shack, deputy head teacher at Clayton CE Primary, said: "The children have made super progress with their reading skills and their teachers report that they have gained confidence in their ability to tackle the printed word.

"As you can see by the results the volunteers have had a real impact on the children."

Chris Gillespie, managing director of UK consumer credit at Provident Financial, said: "We feel it is vital to support our local communities, particularly in helping pupils with the most crucial skill of reading.

"Not only have the children benefited, but taking part in volunteering like this also helps staff to develop which in turn strengthens our business."

To support reading at the participating schools, Provident has donated money to expand the schools' library collections.