Reading charity's £97,000 school funding boost

Primary schools across Birmingham are being offered support packages worth a total of £97,000 to help children who struggle to read. Bookmark Reading Charity has reached out to 97 schools to take advantage of a share of books and other resources it provides. The organisation is also looking for volunteers to help children in the city practise their reading skills. CEO Emily Jack said the programme was a "fantastic way" to bolster schools "most in need". "However, we need volunteers across the city of Birmingham to help with our mission," she added. "Our volunteers often comment that they get an enormous sense of fulfilment from reading with children and seeing their rapid progress." The charity said more than one in four youngsters left primary school unable to read well, with disadvantaged children most affected. It has more than 2,000 volunteers across the country who offer one-on-one support for 30 minutes a week either online or in schools. The charity's latest programme follows a project that delivered story packs worth £238,000 to 119 city schools. Ongoing support of up to £1,000 is available to schools that meet the charity's eligibility criteria based on pupil premium figures, child deprivation statistics and Key Stage 2 literacy results.