Torrington teacher's new qualification

dave.tanner@archant.co.uk
17 July 2009

A Torrington school teacher is one of six who will be at the forefront of helping children with reading difficulties.

Rebecca Hallett has completed training as a Reading Recover teacher and was presented with her new qualification by Devon County Council chief executive Phil Norrey.

The other successful teachers were: Sue Whitell from St Andrew's, Cullompton; Sophie Fennessy from St John's, Totnes; Marion Hayman from Sidmouth Infants; Sue Williams from Stowford in Ivybridge; and Marnie England from Exeter Road, Exmouth.

They will join the 17 fully trained Reading Recovery teachers who are already working in Devon schools.

Reading Recovery teachers work with children with the most severe difficulties and provide training, coaching and support to other adults - usually teaching assistants - who deliver lighter-touch interventions for children with less severe needs.

Reading Recovery is an early intervention for children, giving those who have particular difficulties in reading and writing after their first year at primary school. Each teacher works intensively with at least four children daily for a period of between 12 and 20 weeks.

In Devon 86 per cent of children reach the reading level expected for their age in an average of 39 hours of Reading Recovery teaching.

Devon County Council's Cabinet Member for Schools and Skills, Christine Channon said: "I would like to congratulate all the teachers for the hard work they have put in to achieve this extra qualification.

"It is vitally important that children get the basics of literacy and numeracy right.

"Without this they cannot make the most of the wealth of opportunities for learning that are offered in our schools across Devon."

Earlier this year Janet Ferris, who leads the Every Child a Reader and Reading Recovery programmes in Devon, was invited to a reception at Number 10 by Gordon Brown so he could thank her personally for the work she has done on the programme.