Coram Beanstalk Reading Helpers

Resource type: Reading mentors

Price band: ££

Key stage: KS1, KS2

Region(s): England and Wales

Coram Beanstalk Reading Helpers provide one-to-one, in-person support for children in Nursery through to Year 6 to improve reading attainment and encourage reading for pleasure.

A Reading Helper usually works with three pupils, providing a weekly session of between 20-30 minutes for each child. The one-to-one session includes shared reading, book chat and fun activities to build reading skills and confidence, and help children develop positive attitudes to reading.

All Reading Helpers are fully trained and vetted. Coram Beanstalk’s online training programme has been developed with teaching professionals and academics to cover key areas such as:

How to engage with children on a one-to-one basis.
Understanding the reading process.
How to listen and communicate in a positive manner to build reading confidence.
Encouraging reading for meaning.
The importance of book talk, games and activities.

Cost: From £750 per year depending on the number of volunteers and children being supported.

About Coram Beanstalk: Coram Beanstalk (originally called Volunteer Reading Help) is an award-winning national reading charity with over 50 years’ experience of training reading volunteers. It currently has more than 1000 trained volunteers working in schools across England and Wales.

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Schools can use their Pupil Premium funds to cover the cost of a Reading Helper.
Reading Helpers are provided with a pack of carefully curated children’s books to use in their sessions.
Partner Schools have a dedicated support representative who conducts an annual review each year.
Reading Helpers receive ongoing support from Coram Beanstalk with events, further training opportunities and access to a wide range of useful resources through the Coram Beanstalk volunteer portal.
The Coram Beanstalk website provides book recommendations, fun reading activities and tips for parents that schools can share with their communities.
The 2023-24 Impact Survey showed that 86% of supported children made progress against age related reading expectation, 96% demonstrated improved confidence and self-esteem and 92% showed an improved attitude to learning.
Coram Beanstalk also offers a Reading Leaders peer mentoring training programme for secondary schools.