The children have made quick progress and their parents say they are now more interested in reading at home.

Lynn Matthews, Head Teacher, Stansted CE Primary School, Kent

Readers Count:

  • provides targeted use of the Pupil Premium
  • supports the new National Curriculum for English
  • develops phonic knowledge and skills
  • promotes text comprehension and vocabulary development
  • creates an ‘in-house specialist’ literacy teacher who helps to raise standards for all children
  • provides detailed evidence of progress and impact

How Does it Work?

A specially trained Readers Count teacher gives children at least three 30 minute lessons a week for a term, individually or in pairs, and a teaching assistant delivers short follow up activities. After a detailed diagnostic assessment, the teacher plans a tailored programme for each child. Rigorous, lively and stimulating lessons develop phonic knowledge and skills, text comprehension and vocabulary development. The teacher liaises with parents and shares their specialist knowledge with colleagues informally and through structured CPD, raising standards for all children.

A Readers Count teacher-in-training can begin to teach children after the first two training days.

Impact on Achievement

Over 350 children in Years 1 to 6 have been supported by Readers Count in 90 schools.

  • They made an average Reading Age gain of 14 months in 4.5 months – over 3 times the expected progress.
  • Their comprehension scores more than doubled.
  • 96% of them showed more interest and confidence in reading in class after Readers Count.

See a Sample School Report here.

Training and Professional Development

  • 7 days of local training by an accredited ECC Trainer
  • Subject and pedagogical knowledge for reading
  • Supporting parents and colleagues across the school
  • 2 school visits from the Trainer
  • ECC accreditation for teacher and school
  • Access to ongoing CPD and school visits every year
  • Fast-track training is available for accredited teachers of other reading interventions

The high quality training has helped our Readers Count teacher to become an ‘expert voice’ in our school.

Nicky Dowling, Head Teacher, Highfield Primary School, Chester

Resources and Support

  • Detailed handbook guidance
  • Online guidance and downloadable resources
  • A standardised reading test to measure impact
  • Access to the ECC data system, providing detailed analyses of impact and children’s progress
  • Phone and e-mail support from ECC and the Trainer

Charges

Each local provider determines their own charges to schools depending on local circumstances, the charge for 2016/17 for a new Readers Count teacher will be in the region of £2,200.

Local providers

Schools can access Readers Count from local ECC providers. Find your local provider here.

How can schools prepare for and manage Readers Count?

Download guidance for preparing for Readers Count before your staff start the training.

Download a flyer about Readers Count.