Over 750 business people regularly visit Southwark primary schools to help students with their reading skills - offering invaluable one-to-one support.

Reading partners spend around 30 minutes a week in a local primary school help a student with reading and literacy skills.

We help businesses partners find a school that's right for them - so that they can visit during their lunch hours and build a good rapport with an individual child.

Benefits for students

Reading partners can really help to improve a child's confidence and self-esteem.

• Students benefits from one-to-one support and attention
• Regular reading sessions boost literacy levels.
• Contact with a business person can raise aspiration and committement to learning.

Benefits to employees

Becoming a reading partner is a chance to explore new situations and learn new skills.

• It's a chance to give back to the community
• It's rewarding watch a child learn and grow in confidence.
• It's a chance to have a break during their work day
• You are part of a strong team working with other reading partners.

How it works

It's easy to join the reading partners project. We'll help your company recruit employees to participate in the scheme· Southwark EBA will set up the partnership by matching your company to a Southwark primary school.

• Southwark EBA will run an hour long training session during a lunchtime at your offices.
• Training offers practical ways on how to support children with reading and maths and provides important information on child protection issues.
• Southwark EBA handles the Criminal Records Bureau checks which are required when working with young people.
• Southwark EBA provides ongoing support to the company and school partners.