You might remember how worried I was about Master Frugal’s reading and writing at the start of this school year. He was very behind his friends at school and I know that everyone learns at their own pace and you shouldn’t compare children’s progress but he knew himself that he couldn’t read or write anywhere near as well as his friends and it was beginning to affect his confidence and in turn, his personality.
It was so distressing to see him like this and no matter what I did to try and help him, he just got so frustrated with himself which made it even harder for him to learn and he eventually just stopped trying. His teacher was lovely but during the first parents night of the term she explained to us that he was behind his classmates and she was concerned about his lack of progress.
Then one day we got a letter from the school offering us a place on a Reading Recovery program which would involve one to one teaching every morning at school for a term and a half. I was so relieved, we were really lucky to get a place on the program as it costs the school in excess of £1000 for each child that they offer a place to and as a result they can only afford to offer one or two children a place each year.
From the first day he started the program, there was a definite change in him, he started to feel better about himself and he wanted to learn which I guess is half the battle isn’t it? The help he was given on a daily basis was amazing and I could never explain to you how proud I was when he sat on my knee and read me a story by himself for the first time – I don’t think I could’ve helped him even if he’d needed it as I could see the page through the tears in my eyes. There were more tears at the next parent night (it’s OK, I waited till I got home to cry) after his teacher said to me that the progress he had made was a miracle and more agian when we got his end of year school report which was brilliant.
Tonight was the final parents night of the year at school and his teacher showed me his end of year results which confirmed that he’s now completely caught up with his classmates and is average. I never thought I’d be so happy to hear one of my children described as average but I had a lump in my throat when I heard what she was saying and writing this, I’m feeling quite teary (again) at the thought of how much happier he is and how much progress he’s made this year.
The Reading Recovery program has literally changed Master Frugal’s life and that’s not an exaggeration in any way it’s not just the academic side of it, it’s the fact that he is now a more confident and happy child. Which is why I can’t believe that the school have now pulled the Reading Recovery program for next year so no other children will benefit the same way that he has. They just can’t afford to fund it anymore apparently!
I can’t believe that there is money in the economy to pay for ridiculous statues and other similar wastes of money or to spend millions no doubt on this phone hacking investigation (not that I condone the hacking by the way) but there isn’t money for this – something that can improve a child’s life immeasurably. It’s not fair but I have no clue what I can do about it other than write a letter to the school to explain how much difference the program can make to someone. I’m just so frustrated and I’m sorry for the waffle – I can’t seem to put into words how strongly I feel.
I’m off to write a letter to the school now if I can manage to get my feelings across in a coherent way 😉
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As a teacher, I must say that I completely agree with you. It's so distressing to see the amount of money they waste on ridiculous things, but something that actually works for kids is the first thing that gets cut when money runs short.
I know what you mean and I think it was easy for them to cut this as it effects so few children within the school – Unfortunately, it's the children who really need it and benefit so much from it!
What a lovely post! I'm so glad it has been so good for him.
Awful that cuts won't let another child benefit in the future 🙁
Ah thanks very much, he's like a different child and I'm feeling more positive about next year as I've had a great response from the head. Fingers crossed x
You’ve got it in one. Couldn’t have put it bteetr.
Thank you x
It's unfortunate that even part way through your post I knew what the ending would be…
As a teacher (and soon to be mother EEK) I completely agree… we've seen this coming. The government keeps saying that we can make budget cuts by cutting 'back office staff' (PFFT) many schools the only 'back office staff' they have are a couple of receptionists and perhaps (if you're lucky) 2 or 3 people to help with photocopying/administration (and I'm talking in secondary schools serving 500+ kids here.
Also *this* government in particular has decided that we are 'overidentifying' special educational needs* so learning support departments are all expecting to find funding for children with milder special educational needs (dyslexia perhaps) and behavioural/emotional needs pulled, leaving the teacher to pick up the slack.
Every teacher knows how to support children with varying learning needs, it's what we're trained for, but catering to the needs of every child in a class of 30 (or 33 in some of my classes last year) where you've got such a range of ability to the point where some kids could be sittting GCSE exams and some can't even read without support is impossible.
Anyhow, I hope more parents do what you're doing and communicate to the school about the services that have made a difference to their children. Unfortunately the services that will certainly end up being cut are the ones that provide support for the most vulnerable children.
I'm really glad your son benefited from the reading recovery programme, I've seen the results myself and I hope the positive attitude to his education continues (as you're right, that really IS half the battle). Its great to read something written by such a supportive parent.
Samantha xx
*'I'm not saying your son has special educational needs, but he has certainly benefited from thie input of learning support assistants whse jobs are threatened by these cuts.
Thanks very much for you lovely comment. I think teachers do a brilliant job but can only do what they have time/funding to do. I've written to the school and offered to do some fundraising to help pay for the scheme, the headmistress and his teacher have both contacted me to say thank you for my support and I'm going to go in and see them at the start of next term to see what we can do so I'm feeling quite positive at the moment.
Our school also delivers this intervention programme and it's results are brilliant, You're right, not only does it give academic results it does give the children a confidence boost. It's a good feeling for staff to see children benefit from it, it's very rewarding on both parts. Sadly, funding is affecting everyone and our school will still deliver it but only half the amount of children will get it next year.
It's such a shame when the scheme makes such a huge impact isn't it? I'm feeling a lot more positive now I've written to the school and hope to work with them on some fundraising events to help fund the program.
Our school is paying for reading recovery out of the school budget & training parent volunteers to read daily with the kids so the only expense is a teacher to administer it, train the volunteers and ensure quality control is done. The school pays her 1/2 day a week to do that. We fought to keep this scheme as Governors as it's a huge boost for kids and we just couldn't let it go as a service. We're also fundraising as a school to help maintain some of the other interventions that are now not paid for by the Local Authority as well as trying to equip a library that we've created in an old mobile classroom. Parent power will get things done!
Best of luck getting your school to try & keep something like this going. Get some governors on board, they approve the budget ;o)
I've written to the school and offered to do some fundraising to help pay for the scheme, the headmistress and his teacher have both contacted me to say thank you for my support and I'm going to go in and see them at the start of next term to see what we can do – Fingers crossed.
It is shocking and disgraceful the cuts that are being made that affect our childrens well being. I blogged earlier on excercise guidelines http://www.emmaand3.com/wordpress/?p=1594. Glad your son benefitted and hope more funding is created for others.
I'll pop over and have a look at your post. I hope they find additional funding too – fingers crossed x