SCHOOLS across Wirral are looking for volunteers to listen to pupils read.

Children’s literacy charity, Schoolreaders, is looking for volunteers to listen to children read in primary schools.

Volunteers are asked to listen to students read once a week in term time and to commit to an academic year.

Jane Whitbread, founder of Schoolreaders, said: “Children who leave primary school unable to read well can’t access their secondary schooling fully which will compromise their life opportunities. One in seven adults in England  (7.1m) are functionally illiterate and cannot read instructions on a medicine label, sit a driving theory test or fill in a job application form. Working together we can change this.

“Our Schoolreaders volunteers provide a crucial supplement to classroom teaching and are welcomed by schools and the children. If more children gain pleasure from reading from an early age and their reading fluency and confidence improves too, communities and society will reap the benefits.”

According to the charity, every year, one in four children leave primary school unable to read to the expected standard.

95% of children supported by a Schoolreaders volunteer improve their reading age and partner schools also reported that volunteers had a positive impact on pupils with 95% improving their reading confidence and 87% their reading enjoyment.

Sheena, retired, and a Schoolreaders volunteer, said: “For me, establishing a rapport with each child and recognising their uniqueness by making the sessions relevant and fun is what counts and the earlier we can do this the better.

“Reading skills and developing a love of books from the earliest age will hopefully aid children to become confident, interested and engaged readers who read for pleasure.

"I thoroughly enjoy my time listening to readers and look forward to returning to school after half term.”

The areas the charity hopes to recruit in include Leasowe, Wallasey, Birkenhead and Ellesmere Port.

To find out more about Schoolreaders visit www.schoolreaders.org. By applying now new volunteers will be matched as quickly as possible to a partner school and be ready to start once they have completed a mandatory DBS check and virtual safeguarding training.