Literacy mentors

The Caledonian Club Primary 2 (P2) Literacy Programme has the aim of challenging the attainment gap at its core. Building on the club's Molly and Cally Adventure Series at P2, which focuses on fostering a love of reading and storytelling, the team developed a targeted literacy programme. It works with selected pupils to help improve literacy skills as well as confidence and enjoyment of reading.

Since its launch, the P2 Literacy Programme has worked with almost 250 pupils on paired reading, phonics and sight words. Literacy mentors visit pupils at school, delivering one-to-one paired reading before working together with a group of three pupils on literacy-based activities.

Literacy mentors work with the same pupils each week and aim to build a positive and supportive relationship that encourages engagement with learning. As a literacy mentor, you help improve skills, build confidence and create enjoyment in reading. Unlike Student Mentors, any Glasgow Caledonian University student or alumni can volunteer as a literacy mentor.

GCU Crest colour

"Working on the Literacy Project has been a rewarding and memorable experience. I began the project extremely nervous, as I had no idea what to expect from the children and the project itself.  As the weeks went by, I became more confident and comfortable working with the children and began to recognise each child's own personal strengths and weaknesses. As the project is drawing to an end, I will really miss working with the children."

Soraya
Literacy mentor

Programme structure

The P2 Literacy Programme consists of two, eight-week blocks and is developed to ensure time out of class is kept to a minimum. The school selects pupils and will decide if they should participate in both block one and two based on need and progression. During a session, pupils start with 20 minutes of paired reading before working in a small group for 20 minutes of phonics-based activities. Pupils participate in two sessions per week.

Key dates

Key dates for Block 1 24/25:

  • Information session for prospective new literacy mentors: Wednesday, 28 August 15:30 -16:30. This will take place online. Please register for this session here.
  • Training for new mentor: Tuesday, 10 September 16:00 -17:00 and either Wednesday, 11 September 13:00 -16:00 or Thursday, 12 September 09:00 -12:00.
  • Teacher and pupil meetings in school (one hour): weeks commencing 16 and 23 September, set time TBC once availability confirmed.
  • For more information contact calclubliteracy@gcu.ac.uk

The Literacy Programme

This video outlines the benefits of being involved with the Caledonian Club's Literacy Programme.