Coram Beanstalk Reading Helpers
Coram Beanstalk have written a post for us about why being a reading helper is such a gift for teachers and students.
Why having a Coram Beanstalk reading helper is a gift for teachers
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 insurmountable.
However, working with Coram Beanstalk – a charity with over 50 years of experience in supporting children to become confident readers – 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 students who need that extra bit of attention and guidance to unlock their confidence and ability to read. While teachers are superheroes, they face the reality of limited time and 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 help transform a classroom into a more supportive and nurturing environment for young readers.
Here’s why having a Coram Beanstalk reading helper is a true gift for any teacher.
1. One-to-one attention for the children who need it most
Classrooms are filled with a range of diverse learning needs. With up to 30 children to guide, it’s a challenge for teachers to provide one-on-one attention consistently. A Coram Beanstalk reading helper bridges this gap, offering dedicated time to those who might struggle with reading. These sessions are tailored to each child’s pace and interests, creating a safe space where they can develop the skills and build their confidence in reading.
For a teacher, this extra support is invaluable. It means that fewer children are left behind, even when the demands of the curriculum press on.
2. Building 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 engaging books, fun activities, and a warm, patient approach, they make reading enjoyable and exciting. This enthusiasm often spills over into the classroom, sparking a ripple effect among their peers.
For teachers, this support reinforces their own efforts to foster a love for literacy. It’s like having a partner or external voice who helps turn reading from a chore into an adventure.
3. Easing teachers’ workloads
Teachers wear many hats – educator, mentor, counsellor, entertainer and more. Adding the role of reading support for struggling students can provide a real challenge. Coram Beanstalk reading helpers are there to lighten this load, providing focused attention to children who need it most.
This allows teachers to concentrate on other areas of learning and classroom management, knowing their students are receiving high-quality, personalised reading support.
4. Boosting confidence in children
Children who struggle with reading often experience frustration or embarrassment, which can 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-worth, and in turn make the child’s time in class, particularly during reading activities, more manageable.
5. A sense of community in school
When schools invite volunteers in to work with children, it fosters 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.
For teachers, this partnership is both empowering and heart-warming. It shows them that it is not their responsibility 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 school achieve their mission.
Having a Coram Beanstalk reading helper volunteer in the classroom is a gift that keeps on giving. It’s an investment in children, a boost for teachers, and a step toward a future where every child becomes a reader.
For teachers, it’s more than just extra help – it’s a reminder that they’re supported, valued, and part of a team working together.
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.
Rebecca Pedelty-Cox, Learning and Development Manager at Coram Beanstalk and ex-teacher.
