Management Information Sheet

Over the last year Norfolk Libraries have recruited 170+ volunteers who have worked in schools and libraries helping children and adults to learn to read as part of the Norfolk Reading Pathway.

This is just a reminder that because we no longer have funding to continue the project in the same way, from the end of the summer term the way schools access the Pathway will be changing.

• Library Managers at local libraries are now the contacts for the Pathway.
• If a school has a child who needs help, they can refer the family to their local library.
• The child/family will be matched with a volunteer and meet in the local library - rather than at the school - at a time convenient to all outside of school hours.
• If you have a child who is part way through the 'Yes we can read' workbook at the end of term, we will work with their local library to arrange sessions during the school holidays (where appropriate) or arrange to continue the project in the library in September.
• From the end of term we will no longer be able to pay travel expenses of those volunteers working in schools.
• The 'Yes we can read' workbooks will only be given to children and coaches meeting in libraries.

We are aware that not all schools will find this new way of working easy or practical and that you may have volunteers who would prefer to stay working with children in school.

I have met with the 'Norfolk Reading Project' charity to discuss how they could help. www.thenorfolkreadingproject.co.uk.

Their aim is to support teachers in improving literacy standards across Norfolk by providing volunteers to hear children read on a one-to-one basis within Primary Schools. There is no charge for schools,

They have the capacity to take on new schools and to recruit any volunteers currently working in schools as part of the Norfolk Reading Pathway.

They run training sessions for staff in Norwich but would be willing to run sessions in other parts of the county as necessary.

If your school is interested in finding out more, please contact the Anne Thorley at info@thenorfolkreadingproject.co.uk