ASSISTED READING FOR CHILDREN (ARCh)

RCN 1146276, Bicester

The charity's aim is to impart a love of reading to disadvantaged primary school children via regular, personalised, mentoring support from trained volunteers.

Who we are: Assisted Reading for Children (ARCh) helps pupils in Oxfordshire who struggle with their reading. We send trained volunteers into primary schools and aim to inspire in the children we see a love of reading. This will enhance their lives and improve their life chances.

Why we are needed: Oxfordshire has more than 16,000 children living in poverty; twelve of its wards are listed in the top 20% most disadvantaged nationally. Around 20% of children leave primary school with a reading level below expected and this has worsened following the pandemic and the cost-of-living crisis. In some areas of disadvantage this figure can be as high as 60%. This has an impact on children’s ability to learn across all subjects and severely affects their confidence.

How do we know it works: the schools we work with report dramatic improvements in reading ability and interest, comprehension, self-esteem, communication skills, and general attitude to school and learning

Please go to our website www.archoxfordshire.org.uk for more information on our work,