Improving reading skills at HMP Risley

At Novus, we go above and beyond to encourage as many learners as possible into reading. Our reading provision aims to support learners in reading and help them to obtain reading and literacy skills that will benefit them in everyday life and upon release.

Our colleagues and tutors work hard to identify learners who are in need of support with their reading and literacy. To do this, they use a screening process which helps to identify where that learner is in terms of reading and spelling levels and helps to determine how much support they may need.

However, sometimes learners will also identify themselves and come forward, asking for support in various skills, which one learner did at HMP Risley in regard to their reading.

Providing reading support for learners

A learner was referred to Risley's reading specialist after asking for support with their reading. This was also reinforced by the maths tutor who had noticed that the learner may need some support with his reading, but advised that the learner had a fantastic attitude and really wanted to improve his reading skills. 

The reading specialist, Amy Wright screened the learner who had a reading score of 30 and a spelling score of 50.5, indicating that he needed support level 3, a one-to-one phonics approach, for both. After a conversation with the learner, it became evident that they may also have an LDD need which required support. 

During the conversation, the learner expressed that they often struggled with memory and cognition, further identifying that the learner may have an LDD need. The reading specialist referred the learner to student support to complete an LDD screener, which would identify strategies to aid the learner through their education journey. 

The learner previously had support from the Shannon Trust and could read some simple words, but this had not been developed further.

The reading tutor worked with the learner weekly, on a one-to-one basis using the That Reading Thing programme combined with reading texts to help with comprehension development and incorporating support strategies recommended by the previously conducted in-depth LDD screener. The reading specialist also gave the learner a variety of writing tasks to complete, which have aided his writing/spelling ability.

Positive Learner Outcome

The learner made excellent progress throughout his time on the 'That Reading Thing' programme. A second reading screener was conducted, and the learner's levels had increased to 97 for reading and 61 for spelling which meant he now had the skills to read words independently. 

Due to the learner's hard work and determination, he was able to increase his reading and spelling skills, enabling him to progress into joining an English class to study entry level 3 English. This indicates that he has improved his reading skills enough to be able to access the English assessment.

The learner's file shows a full picture of his reading development including knowledge of specific reading skills through target tracking, annotated tasks and increased confidence levels and engagement with reading, through his own reflections and the tutor's observations. 

Through having access to the right support and the determination to learn, the learner has been able to benefit greatly from the reading provision at HMP Risley, with positive comments from the learner including:

I think that the work we have done has helped me to go into the English class and I am really grateful. I wish I could continue my lessons!

To read more about our reading provision and initiatives to support learners, head over to the news section on the website.