Written question WQ87924

The reading mentoring pilot, which commenced in February, is a 12-month project to test the effectiveness of a reading mentoring model on having a positive impact upon learners’ attitudes, enjoyment, and motivation to read.

The project parameters and project team are currently being established. Later this year the pilot will provide the opportunity for up to 160 learners from 10 primary schools to receive six 1-hour mentoring sessions based around the six areas of learning and experiences. Options for expanding the scale of mentoring will be considered during the course of the pilot. This will include developing the model in the context of the Welsh language in order to incorporate reading in Welsh fully into any upscaling and future phases.

Estyn are conducting thematic reviews into the development of reading skills in English and Welsh which will inform future work.