School Reading Champion - Horley Infant School

Do you love adding the latest novel to your reading list? Do you have fond memories of reading or listening to stories by Roald Dahl, Enid Blyton, Julia Donaldson or other fabulous children’s authors? If so, we need you!

The support School Reading Champions offer has never been more needed, as statistics reveal that 1 in 4 children leave primary school without reaching the expected reading standard, which means they cannot fully access their secondary education, which will limit their future opportunities. There is therefore an urgent need for more volunteers to make a difference to support children’s early literacy within schools.

At Horley Infant School, we have 270 children aged 4-7. An above average proportion of our pupils achieve the expected standard for reading. Similarly, a large proportion of these children also exceed national expectations and we are proud of the accomplished readers they become.

However, there is a small proportion of our pupils who need extra support to meet these standards. In line with Article 28 of the UN Rights for Children, we believe that every child has the right to an excellent education and we firmly believe that being able to read unlocks limitless potential and possibilities for pupils.

We are proud of our fabulous library which has a giant oak tree in the centre of it and sits proudly in the heart of our school. This would be the perfect place for School Champions to listen to our children read so that they get opportunities to regularly practice their early reading skills. We are able to offer training and support to all of our volunteers so they feel able to confidently read to or read with our pupils.

What skills do I need?

• Proficient in oral and written English
• Able to read confidently with accuracy and intonation
• Patient, calm, kind and empathetic
• Approachable and warm-natured
• Enjoy working with children
• Enjoy learning and able to commit to continuous professional development