Our sessions are led by experienced, qualified teachers and supported by trained volunteers, 1:1 and in small groups.
We focus on the enjoyment of reading and writing, building confidence, and helping students carry their new skills to the classroom.
We publish and celebrate children’s work throughout the programme, giving them a lasting sense of achievement.
Students progress five months in their reading age per term.
Our immersive programme lets children reinvent themselves as successful learners.
On average, children in the UK make 1.3 months of progress in their reading age per term. But, with a focus on confidence and perseverance, students on our programme make 5 months’ progress per term.
This impact lasts throughout their time at school and beyond.
“Ally loves her Wednesdays now. I thought two hours would be a lot for her but she really listens and is focused: it’s so great to see… She shows assertiveness and eagerness to try and it’s wonderful. Thank you!”
Young Pirate’s parent, 2022
Who do we support?
Our programme works pre-emptively with students in school years 5 to 8 to give them a boose before they fall further behind.
The programme is for students who are both:
- falling behind in class and not on track to achieve age-related expectations in reading or writing;
- and able to access fewer opportunities in their personal lives. Most students nominated are eligible for Pupil Premium.
Does this sound like something for your pupils?
In-Person or Online
Our in-person programme lasts for one academic year and is available for students who are able to attend sessions in our fantastical space in Hackney.
Our online programme lasts for one term and is available for students further afield to attend via our specially created joyful online platform. We’re able to provide laptops for students who need them.
All of our programmes offer students the opportunity to have their work published and attend celebration events to give them a sense of achievement.
Each student you refer will receive £700-worth of support per term.
This costs you no more than £25 per student, per term.
Thanks to our partnerships, we are able to fundraise to subsidise the cost of the programme, meaning that schools only pay a flat fee of £750 per year.
This provides a minimum of 10 places on our year-long, in-person programme, or 30 places across the year on our termly virtual programme.