P5 pupils from The Model Primary School who took part in the 'Time to Read' programme along with Apex staff members Ann Hegarty, Michaela Toland and Mairead O’Kane
Apex helps develop young bookworms

26 June 2019 by Alison McKenna

As the school year draws to a close, Apex Housing Association hosted a group of very energetic and inquisitive P5 pupils from The Model Primary School in Derry/Londonderry. They were given a tour of Apex Head Office and enjoyed a congratulatory brunch to mark another successful year of the ‘Time to Read’ programme.

Development or housing officers in the making!

This was the fourth year Apex partnered up with The Model Primary School for the ‘Time to Read’ programme, developed by Business in the Community and supported by the Department of Education. The innovative programme aims to improve literacy, foster a love of reading and build the confidence and social skills of children.

During school term, three members of staff from Apex – Ann Hegarty, Michaela Toland and Mairead O’Kane – visited the school and provided one hour of their working week to help pupils read on a one-to-one basis, supporting their reading progress and giving them an insight into the world of work.

Mairead O’Kane, Administrative Assistant in the Personnel and Training Department, was one of the volunteers and said it was a very rewarding experience.

Seeing the children’s faces when we arrived to the school every week was priceless. They have all developed their reading and vocabulary skills and grown in confidence over the school year.

As a mother myself it has reaffirmed to me that reading with our children is such an important part of their daily routine and essential for their development. We need to take time away from the TVs and i-pads that are so common today.

The rewards are enormous and I would recommend this programme to anyone who is thinking of getting involved.

Mrs Polley from The Model Primary School commented:

All the children lucky enough to take part in the Time to Read programme this year have thoroughly enjoyed it. Not only have their reading skills developed, but they now have far greater confidence as readers.

If children gain pleasure from sharing books then their reading improves; and they then have the tools to seek out books and learn for themselves.

For more information about the ‘Time to Read’ programme, visit the Business in the Community website.