Primary Readers Scheme

 News 

Award-winning novelist celebrates reading scheme success with local Bath children

Monday, 26 June, 2017

BAFTA award-winning children’s author, Dr Joanna Nadin, attended a local Bath primary school this week to congratulate pupils on taking part in a successful pilot reading scheme organised by Bath Spa University and its Students’ Union.

The Primary Readers Scheme, which launched in January, has been developed to encourage reading among primary school children in Bath and to support them in their reading journey, from the first steps of reading with adults, to developing a love for books outside the classroom.

“The scheme was introduced to support the development of young children’s reading skills, to build confidence and to encourage them to share their enjoyment of reading with others,” commented Dr Sally Griffin Access and Participation Manager at Bath Spa University.

“Since January the scheme has seen 13 Bath Spa students volunteering their time every week in three primary schools to listen to children read on a one-to-one basis. The children are then encouraged to fill in a log and record thoughts and feelings about the book.”

Joanna Nadin, who is also a Creative Writing Lecturer at Bath Spa University, said: “I was honoured to be part of the ceremony for such an innovative scheme.”

Samantha Morgan, an MA Education student at Bath Spa University, who has been part of the scheme, said: “It's been a really rewarding opportunity to be part of such an amazing scheme the past few months . Seeing the positive change that we are able to spark has been unbelievable, and we have been fortunate to learn just as much from the pupils as we hope that we have been able to teach them."

The three schools involved, St Michaels C of E Junior School, Twerton Infants and Roundhill Primary School, were chosen as part of the University’s widening participation outreach programme that works with young people from groups who are under-represented in higher education.

Sally continues: “The Primary Readers Scheme is a great example of how students and staff from across our University can come together to meet the challenge of eliminating equality gaps in access to higher education for future generations.”