Teaching every child to read: regardless of background or need
Four of our 150 consultant trainers share their experiences working at Ruth Miskin Training: from recruitment to school support.
Nicola Dawson, London South
I literally have a spring in my step, knowing how lucky I am to work for RMT. I support reading leaders, headteachers and reading teachers to make a difference to all children’s reading and writing. It is great to receive positive feedback from visits to schools and know that I help teach every child to read.
Heather Scarlett, Cornwall
“I love building strong relationships with my schools; working with both familiar faces and reading teachers new to teaching the programme.” I feel very proud to be part of Ruth Miskin Training (RMT). Our team meetings are galvanising and inspire me to know we can teach every child to read. We are an organisation that never stops. There are regular updates, beneficial to the schools we work with and to make our work/life balance easier.
Helen Mather, North West England
“I have never been happier at work. I enjoy supporting a range of schools; making a difference every day to make sure all children can read and make the best of their futures.” The consultant trainers I met were knowledgeable, inspiring, and enthusiastic. I wanted to be part of an organisation that helps teach every child to read across my region, regardless of background, need or ability.
Nishat Mahmud, South London
Each trainer has their own trainer coach for the first 18 months – mine is calm, clear and answers all questions. She has a wealth of knowledge to share about both the Read Write Inc. programmes and systems and processes at RMT. As my knowledge deepens and my consultancy skills grow, I become more and more confident.
Adam Given, Cornwall
“My advice to a potential trainer? Bring a passion for reading and coaching.” RMT’s mission to teach every child to read is my dream job. I was previously a reading leader in a small rural primary school where our mission was to ensure every child learnt to read. Our work with a Ruth Miskin Training (RMT) consultant trainer made a significant impact. I wanted that job!
- The Kemnal Academies Trust (TKAT), South & East of England 1 November 2022“Teaching children to read and to love reading is a shared mission: TKAT directors, headteachers, teaching staff and Ruth Miskin trainers work as a team to remove barriers to learning and reach every child in our academies.”
- Ormiston Meridian Academy and Stoke Secondary Schools, Stoke-on-Trent 12 October 2022“In the most recent (January 2022) Ofsted report of one of our schools, it was recognised that ‘pupils who need help with their phonics knowledge are supported by trained staff.”
- PSC success for six trusts working in areas of disadvantage 11 October 2022Across the six trusts, a total of 92 schools, the average PSC result increased from 88% in 2019 to 89% in 2022. 32.5% children qualify for pupil premium compared to the national average of 22.5%.
- Olsen House School, Liverpool (For children and young people with SEMH, ADHD, ASC and LD in KS2 to KS4) 11 October 2022“Fresh Start helps remove barriers to learning for our students. They now choose to read, are happy reading to others and, importantly, can access the curriculum more easily. Confidence and self-esteem have increased in all lessons.”
- Burlington Junior School, Bridlington 11 October 2022“Ofsted noted that the number of children needing intervention was reducing because of the ongoing phonics support that we provide.”
- Astrea Academy Woodfields, Doncaster (secondary school) 10 October 2022“We prioritise the teaching of reading in our school. One in four of our students start Year 7 reading below their chronologic age: in line with the national average. Fresh Start helps them catch up quickly and enthusiastically.”
- West Derby School, Liverpool (secondary school) 4 October 2022“The programme has helped me as an English teacher gain knowledge of phonics teaching and understand that effortless decoding is essential to access both GCSE English and the wider curriculum.”
- Dixons Trinity Chapeltown, Leeds 4 October 2022“We are thrilled that, in spite of the challenge of the last two and a half years, 91% of children passed the phonics screening check (PSC) in 2022.”
- St Philip Westbrook, Warrington 21 September 2022“Visitors to Read Write Inc. lessons remark on the joy, engagement and progress our children are making.”
- Backworth Park Primary School, Newcastle Upon Tyne 21 September 2022“Looking at our current Reception data, we predict that our phonics screening check (PSC) results for 2023 will be in the nineties.”
- Healey Junior, Infant and Nursery School, Batley, West Yorkshire 21 September 2022“The training has transformed our teaching throughout the school. What’s more, the children’s behaviour and learning culture have both improved.”
- Gnosall St Lawrence CE Primary Academy – Stafford 15 September 2022“Ofsted noted that the teaching of early reading is a strength of the school, and that standards in the Year 1 phonics screening check (PSC) are above those of children nationally.”