Chapter One Impact Report 2023-24 - Flipbook - Page 29
HARPER’S STORY
Every Thursday morning Harper*, a Year 2 pupil at Newport Primary School in
Middlesbrough, would eagerly anticipate being able to practise her reading with Rebecca
Jenkins, her Chapter One Online Reading Volunteers Programme reading partner from
Marsh McLennan.
It wasn't always this way. When Harper started Year 2 in September 2023, reading felt like a
task to tick off. "It was very functional - I'm reading this because I have to read it," her
teacher Kay Robinson remembers. "She'd read the words out loud and that was it."
Ms Robinson also recalls Harper’s general lack of confidence as the new school year began.
Harper stammered and was unsure of herself.
But something special started happening in her weekly half-hour sessions with Rebecca.
Between turning the pages of Chapter One’s digital books and playing the literacydeveloping activities, Harper and Rebecca would also chat about the stories in the books
and how Harper saw herself reflected in them. The pair would also create their own stories.
That simple connection - having someone's undivided attention and genuine interest began to work its magic. As the year progressed, Ms Robinson noticed a transformation in
Harper’s confidence and reading ability.
*Harper is not the child’s real name
IT’S THAT [ONE-TO-ONE] CONVERSATION WITH A GROWN UP THAT SOMETIMES SADLY IN CLASS WE DON’T
GET … IT’S THAT HALF AN HOUR OF FULL READING… THE MASSIVE IMPROVEMENT REALLY HAS BEEN IN
HER CONFIDENCE. SHE CAN HAVE A CONVERSATION ABOUT IT NOW, SHE WANTS TO TALK ABOUT THE
PICTURES AS WELL AS THE WORDS…AND SHE HAS MOVED UP SIGNIFICANTLY IN HER READING LEVELS.
- Ms Robinson, Harper’s teacher
2023-24 Impact Report: The Impact
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