Springboard
Project based in: UK
Intensive, individual literacy tuition for struggling inner city primary children
The issue
Every year, more than 100,000 children leave primary school unable to read properly, severely hindering their ability to progress through secondary school. As a result, children with poor literacy skills are more likely to truant or be excluded from school. Many will ultimately leave with few, if any, qualifications, thereby undermining their chances of success in later life.
The response
Springboard provides intensive, one-to-one literacy lessons to primary children at schools in some of the UK’s most deprived communities. The children Springboard helps are all falling a long way behind their classmates – in many cases, as much as two years behind. Many have special educational needs, such as dyslexia or autism; others speak English as a second language; some also have emotional issues or lack parental support at home.
Each of these children is assessed when they first enter Springboard’s programme. This ensures that their sessions are tailored to their own, specific needs. They then receive individual tuition sessions from the same expert tutor twice a week for as long as they need it.
The impact
Progress is tracked annually. In 2007/08, for example, Springboard’s results showed that, on average, children progress at more than twice the normal rate – improving their reading age by 2.2 months for each month they are in Springboard’s programme. By the time they are ready to leave this support, 86% have completely caught up with their peers in the classroom.
The programme also delivers less quantifiable benefits. Springboard tutors exude a ‘can do’ attitude. This, together with the close relationship that they forge with each child, helps the children develop greater confidence and self-esteem. Consequently they become keener to get involved in all areas of school life.
Independent evaluation
In November 2009, an independent evaluation confirmed the impact that Springboard regularly achieves. It found concrete evidence of improvement in children’s writing and noted that teachers welcomed the more constructive attitude and greater participation in lessons from children who were receiving this support. Those children said that they enjoyed the sessions and had formed solid relationships with their personal tutors. The report concluded that Springboard ‘merits extension’.
The organisation
Springboard is an education charity working in primary schools serving disadvantaged communities in London and Manchester. With projects in two schools in Manchester and 10 in London, Springboard supports more than 300 children every year.
Springboard is part of the Dyslexia-SpLD Trust, a consortium of organisations that promote better methods and results for individuals with dyslexia and specific learning difficulties.
The funding
Sofronie has made a grant of £58,722 for the period 2009-2012. This is funding a three year programme at Lark Hall Primary School in South London.
Registered Charity Number: 1124257
Contact details
T: +44 (0)20 7582 5487
E: info@springboard.org.uk
W: www.springboard.org.uk
W: www.thedyslexia-spldtrust.org.uk