"Text Now" at FHS
28 January 2010
Flint High School has agreed with Unitas to operate their innovative reading improvement programme "TextNow" in the school.
The programme is designed to encourage enjoyment of reading amongst young people who are struggling to improve and progress their reading skills.
The Text Now model uses volunteer coaches to deliver one to one reading support through daily 20 minute reading sessions every weekday for 12 weeks. Volunteers are supported through initial online training, there are diary materials for both volunteers and coaches to support their progress, and there is an incentive scheme for the young people to encourage consistent attendance and full participation.
An evaluation of the scheme by Sheffield University found that the average reading ages of young people who participated in Text Now had improved by 18 months in just 12 weeks, and that their enjoyment of reading had also improved.
Flint High School plans to offer this programme to 23 pupils from Flint High School and 5 pupils from the neighbouring special needs school, Ysgol Maes Hyfryd. Co-ordinators will begin to roll out the scheme on Monday 25th January.
Pam McClean, HeadTeacher said "I am very pleased to be able to offer this additional support to pupils who wish to improve their literacy. I would also like to thank the coaches and staff involved for their hard work in creating this opportunity for our pupils to improve."
