Working as a class teacher and literacy lead in an inner-London primary school for many years, I witnessed a consistently high need for personalised reading support.

Many of my classes had a significant percentage of children with English as an Additional Language (EAL), Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND), emotional and behavioural challenges, and often very limited support for reading at home. The challenge of ensuring that all these children, with such diverse needs, achieved the expected level in reading - especially in Year 6 - sometimes felt impossible.

However, working with Coram Beanstalk - a charity with over 50 years of experience in supporting children to become confident reader - made that challenge far more manageable. The rewards for the children in my classes who spent time with a Coram Beanstalk reading helper were invaluable and their dedication and commitment meant that I could rely on them to ease that little bit of pressure in my class.

Now, in my role as Learning and Development Manager for the charity, I have the privilege of training amazing and dynamic volunteers to become those vital reading helpers in schools across the country. We equip our volunteers to engage children and share books in ways that I, as a teacher, would have loved the time and luxury to do myself.

 

In every classroom, there are many students who need extra attention and guidance to build their confidence and develop their ability to read. While teachers are superheroes, they face the reality of limited time, resources and building pressures inside and outside the classroom. Having a Coram Beanstalk reading helper - a volunteer who has been fully trained and supported – can make a huge difference.

Here’s why having a Coram Beanstalk reading helper is a true gift for a teacher.

1. One-to-one attention for the children who need it most

Classrooms are filled with a range of different needs. With up to 30 children to manage and support, it’s a real challenge for teachers to provide one-on-one attention consistently. A Coram Beanstalk reading helper helps to bridge this gap, offering dedicated time to those who might struggle with reading or lack confidence in a whole class setting. Their sessions are tailored to each child’s interests and needs, creating a safe space where they can develop their skills and build their confidence in reading.

2.  Sharing a love for reading

A Coram Beanstalk reading helper doesn’t focus on the mechanics of reading, instead they inspire a love for it. Using a warm and patient approach, engaging books, in-depth book chat, fun activities and games, they make reading enjoyable and exciting. This enthusiasm often spills over into the classroom and can have a big effect on others in the class.

It is very common to hear stories of reading helpers who arrive at the classroom to collect one child and are greeted with a sea of hands from all the others who would like to join a session. For teachers, this feeling of positivity around reading reinforces their own efforts help children enjoy reading and highlights the value of sharing books inside the classroom too.

3. Easing teachers’ workloads

Teachers have so many different hats to wear - educator, counsellor, entertainer and many more. Adding the role of one-to-one reading support for struggling readers can provide a real challenge. Coram Beanstalk reading helpers are there to lighten this mental load, providing focused attention to children who need it most.

This allows teachers to concentrate on other areas of learning and classroom management, knowing they have someone who can act as an extra reading role model. It means that fewer children are left behind and they can feel confident that they are receiving high-quality support outside the classroom. This can be particularly beneficial for those children who don’t have someone to support them with reading at home and need that extra bit of support.

4. Building children’s confidence

Children who struggle with reading often feel under pressure, embarrassed or frustrated when asked to read in front of their peers. This can also affect their overall confidence and attitude in school. Coram Beanstalk reading helpers are trained to be patient and encouraging, helping children see their own progress and feel proud of their achievements.

For teachers, seeing a normally shy or reluctant reader light up with confidence is one of the most rewarding outcomes. The volunteers play a vital role in building that sense of self-confidence, and in turn can often make the child’s time in class, particularly during literacy activities, more comfortable and enjoyable.

5. Connecting with the community

When schools invite volunteers in to work with children, it promotes a strong sense of community involvement. It reminds children, teachers, and families that learning is a shared responsibility, and everyone and anyone can play a role. It also means that children get to learn from a wider range of adults from different backgrounds, ages and professions. Very often, children can find unique ways to connect with reading helpers and in turn, volunteers benefit greatly from being a part of the school community.

It shows them that it is not the responsibility of the teacher alone to ensure that all members of the class become confident readers, but rather, part of a larger network of people who care about children and want to help schools create confident readers.

Having a Coram Beanstalk reading helper volunteer in the classroom is not only an investment in reading support, but also a boost for teachers, a connection with the wider school community and a step towards a future where every child becomes a reader.

If you’re considering volunteering or encouraging someone to join Coram Beanstalk, know that your time and effort are worth it - they’re transformative gifts that make a lasting difference.

Find out more about becoming a Coram Beanstalk school

Find out how to become a volunteer reading helper