A reading revolution underway in Manchester

Manchester is experiencing remarkable results in its efforts to help children from deprived backgrounds to read.

As part of a national programme, it is targeting Year 1 children (5 to 6 years of age) who are failing to learn to read as quickly as they should or have conditions like mild dyslexia and placing them in the 'Every Child a Reader' scheme once they start primary education.

The city entered the scheme in 2006 and figures now show that an amazing 74% of children have been returned to their age-appropriate reading level after intensive one-to-one tutoring.

Twenty-seven primaries in the city are now involved in the scheme. Manchester got funding from the £10m three-year project backed by the KPMG Foundation with central government providing the cash from next April.

Twenty-seven teachers in Manchester have now undergone the year-long school-based training necessary for the 'Every Child a Reader' programme, with a target of at least 43 and plans for a training centre based at Green End primary in Burnage.

Lack of reading skills is linked to costly special educational needs provision, truancy, exclusion from school, employment and health difficulties, and crime.

The national director of 'Every Child a Reader', Jean Gross, says Manchester's management of the project is "outstanding and at the cutting edge."

The Executive Member for Children's Services, Councillor Sheila Newman, said: "This scheme is remarkable in that it is backed up by 40 years of research showing it is the only one in the world where children don't fall back in their reading skills once they've undergone it. Reading skills are absolutely crucial because they are the key that unlocks learning as a whole and sets up children to succeed rather than fail."

She added: "We are now recognised nationally for our efforts in catching children early and making sure they acquire reading right from the start. We have 85% of our children going to nursery school and it is there that we can profile them and find the ones who need this special help. Manchester is leading the way by doing this."

Research shows that the 'Every Child a Reader' scheme is extremely cost-effective. It costs just under £2,400 for each child but for every pound spent it is estimated the return on the investment is at least £17 for each individual - with a national saving of up to £1.62 billion overall - by the age of 37.

The city will have put around 200 children through the scheme by next July. The cost so far is £800,000 - using KPMG Foundation, government and other funding. Manchester piloted the project through 2006/7, and the next three years will be government funded.

Media contacts:

Dave Hulme, tel: 0161 234 4610, Jane Lemon, tel:0161 234 3179.