Labour North West

Your voice in tough times

Huge reduction in number of five and six-year-olds getting reading tuition is scandalous

Stephen Twigg MP, Labour’s Shadow Education Secretary, says the huge reduction in the number of five and six-year-olds getting reading tuition is scandalous.

Stephen visited a primary school with a dedicated reading centre in Manchester on Thursday (January 26).
 
The visit comes as figures published by Labour reveal nationally 9,000 fewer vulnerable children will receive one-to-one support to help them learn to read and write this year, a drop of 43% on last year.
 
Stephen Twigg MP, who visited Barlow Hall Primary School in Chorlton-Cum-Hardy, said:
 
“The Labour Government made great strides, starting under David Blunkett, to raise literacy and numeracy standards amongst primary school children.
 
“But the Tory-led Government’s decision which has led to a huge reduction in the number of five and six-year-olds receiving one-to-one reading support is scandalous. Michael Gove removed the funding ring fence for Reading Recovery despite the fact it was shown in an independent evaluation, commissioned by the DfE, to support those at risk of falling behind to read and write.”
 
Mr Twigg commenting on the Department of Education’s own analysis from May this year, that said the scheme ‘had a positive impact on reading’, added:
 
“Under Labour, more than 21,000 children aged five to six who were most at risk of falling behind got an intensive 20 weeks of support to help with reading and writing. This year, figures from the Institute of Education show the numbers will drop to around 12,000.
 
“The numbers of teachers training to deliver the programme has collapsed from just over 1,000 last year, to only 88 this year. It is no wonder given the uncertainty over funding facing schools.”

Jayne Kennedy, Head Teacher of Barlow Hall Primary School, which has benefited from the scheme said:
 
“This programme made a real difference to vulnerable pupils who left with much higher reading and writing skills than they might otherwise have had. In today's competitive world of work, these skills can be the difference between success and failure.
 
“We are worried that as budgets tighten, funding for this kind of critical specialist support will dry up. The reduction in the number of teachers undertaking Reading Recovery nationally is of real concern.”

Lucy Powell, Labour's Manchester Withington Parliamentary Spokesperson, added:
 
“This important programme has helped to transform the attainment and opportunities of children in Chorlton Park.  It is yet another short-sighted decision by the Tory-led government, supported by local Liberal Democrats."
 
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