Schoolreaders Volunteer

1 in 4 children left primary school last year unable to read well. These children are at a disadvantage because they are unable to access their secondary education properly, and this has lifelong consequences. Just ten minutes a week with one of our volunteers has been shown to improve children’s reading fluency, comprehension and enjoyment.

Schoolreaders is proud to be a delivery partner of the National Year of Reading in 2026 and have pledged to deliver a record-breaking 1.5 million reading sessions in the coming year - we would love you to help us achieve that target!

Schoolreaders volunteers are matched with a local primary school and visit once a week in term time for an hour or two. They read individually with children to help improve their reading skills, their comprehension, their enjoyment of reading and also their social skills. Whilst this is a term time opportunity, holidays can be taken in this time.

No qualifications or experience required. Schoolreaders volunteers do need to be able to speak, write and read fluently in English, enjoy spending time with children, be committed to the role and dependable. Volunteers must be over the age of 18 and willing to undergo an enhanced DBS check.

We ask that our volunteers are prepared to attend school at the agreed time on the same day once a week for at least 1 hour, and stay with us for at least one full academic year from when you start in school.

Please visit www.schoolreaders.org to apply or contact [email protected] for more information.