Delight in Reading Evaluation Report Academic Year 2018-19 Delight in Reading Evaluation Report Academic Year 2018-19

7  DELIGHT IN READING SUPPORTERS 16 OUTCOME 2  Engaging children with learning 8 DELIGHT PARTNER SCHOOLS 17 OUTCOME 3 9 ABOUT US  Broadening children’s horizons

10 WHAT IS DELIGHT IN READING? 18 OUTCOME 4 Developing a positive support 12 THE POWER OF BOOK OWNERSHIP network around each child

13 PROGRAMME 20 ENGAGING THE WIDER SPECIFIC OBJECTIVES COMMUNITY

14 OUTCOME 1 21 SUMMARY OF ACHIEVEMENT Supporting children’s social and emotional development 21 LOOKING AHEAD

Published by Delight 9b Station Avenue, , , CR3 6LB [email protected] delightcharity.org.uk Registered Charity Number : 1159567 First published 2019 © Delight 2019 This publication is copyright. For copying, prior permission must be obtained from the publisher. Photography by Alex Brenner Delight illustration by Hannah Maiya-Mills Design by Sharp Pencil Design Branding by Alex Swain © ByAlex 4 | Delight in Reading 2018-19 Delight in Reading 2018-19 | 5 Delight in Reading supporters

…to the many supporters, volunteers, … to every child who donated their donors and funders who have made outgrown books, helping us to spread Delight in Reading so successful the excitement of book ownership and enabling other children to enjoy a lifelong enthusiasm for reading.

Delight in Reading was funded by: Books were donated by: Cisco Systems Limited Caterham Preparatory School, Caterham Community Foundation for Surrey , Caterham (Peter Harrison Foundation) Cisco Systems Limited Claremont Fan Court School, Esher Cranleigh Preparatory School Colgate Palmolive (UK) Ltd Tesco ‘Bags of Help’ Cranleigh Preparatory School, Cranleigh Unum Limited , Walton Charity Enterprise Holdings Epsom Primary and Nursery School, Epsom SC Johnson Greenfield School, Woking Storage was donated by: , Sue and Rob Anderson Homefield Preparatory School, Sutton , Lingfield Volunteer support was provided by: Longacre School, Guildford Caterham School Manor House School, Leatherhead Oakhyrst Grange School, Caterham Prior’s Field School, Godalming Cisco Systems Limited Reed Business Information Colgate Palmolive (UK) Ltd Reed’s School, Cobham Prior’s Field School Reigate St. Mary’s, Reigate Reed Business Information Rydes Hill Preparatory School, Guildford Sage Ltd Sage Foundation St Bartholomew’s C of E Primary School, Haslemere Unum Limited St Hilary’s School, Godalming St Ives School, Haslemere St James Primary School, Elstead Sir William Perkins’s School, Chertsey Unum Limited …and a number of Surrey-based individuals, parents and children.

6 | Delight in Reading 2018-19 Delight in Reading 2018-19 | 7 Delight partner schools About Us

Delight exists to help children engage with learning in all its forms. Our programmes allow children to explore and develop skills, build resilience and confidence whilst enjoying new experiences.

Working in close partnership with selected The Delight Partnership Approach primary schools across Surrey and outstanding Whilst being carefully founded on targeted and arts organisations we deliver intensive arts evidenced outcomes our intensive arts-based programmes that increase the social, learning programmes excite, enthuse and engage. and artistic development of each child. But these outcomes can only be achieved by Building Strong Foundations working in close relationship with teachers and We recognise that some children – especially arts professionals working towards shared goals. those affected by poverty, disadvantage Delight programmes inspire and support not only and other challenges – face barriers to the children at their heart, but the adults who learning that negatively impact on their surround them: involving parents and carers in engagement with school, enjoyment in the learning journey is an integral part of our learning, educational attainment, wellbeing approach whilst enthusing and upskilling teachers and personal development. ensures a legacy of learning through the arts for The Delight programmes broaden children’s future pupils. horizons through new and exciting opportunities, increase wellbeing, positive mental health, Together we can confidence and resilience whilst also sparking an interest in learning both academic and artistic. create a brighter future for all children

8 | Delight in Reading 2018-19 Delight in Reading 2018-19 | 9 “Books and reading are magic and this magic must be available to absolutely everyone” Cressida Cowell

What is Delight in Reading? “Thank you for holding the event yesterday… The children are still talking about the fair and Our Delight in Reading project addresses the fact as I looked out of the window at that 1 in 8 children affected by deprivation don’t own playtime today, many were sharing any books (National Literacy Trust research, 2018). their books together. This was a joy for me to see – thank you so much.” This affects not only their reading ability and desire to HEADTEACHER read, but their belief in their own reading capabilities.

Delight Book Fairs Child-Led Delight Book Fairs Community support In 2018-19, we ran Delight Book Fairs in 14 partner We also hold after-school Book Fairs so that In 2018-19, we piloted a new model of delivering All the books we distribute are collected and primary schools serving high need communities children can return with their siblings and parents/ our Book Fairs that put a team of Year 6 pupils donated by businesses, community groups and in Surrey to tackle this ‘book poverty’ and build a carers to purchase more books for just 30p each, (age 10-11) in charge of running the Fair, schools across Surrey. They are all checked and love of reading for pleasure. Our fun and informal helping to bring more books into homes where supported by our Delight Co-ordinator. They set sorted by our committed team of young (aged Book Fairs are run during school hours to ensure there may be few or none. These after-school up stalls, helped younger pupils select books, sold 14-18) volunteers and community volunteers in every single child can choose two free books to Book Fairs also provide an avenue to encourage books after school and collected money, helping regular weekly sessions to make sure that books keep and enjoy, from a choice of thousands of parents/carers to share in and support their them to develop young enterprise skills as well as are great quality and age appropriate – books high quality pre-loved books. child’s reading journey. acting as ‘reading for pleasure’ ambassadors. that children will be proud to own and keep. This proved to be a hugely rewarding and Business volunteers have also been instrumental empowering experience for all involved, with in running the Fairs, hosting Book Collection many volunteers exceeding their own and their days and providing support behind the scenes teachers’ expectations. throughout 2018-19.

10 | Delight in Reading 2018-19 Delight in Reading 2018-19 | 11 The power of book ownership Programme specific objectives There is extensive research evidencing the positive The outcomes of Delight in Reading are evidenced impact of book ownership on children. around four key development areas

Book ownership, literacy engagement and A summary of the findings OUTCOME 1 Supporting children’s social mental wellbeing, National Literacy Trust, is as follows: December 2018, sets out the findings of research and emotional development undertaken with 44,097 children and young Book ownership and reading skill people aged 8-18 in the UK. Children and young people who have books of OUTCOME 2 Engaging children with learning their own at home are three times more likely to read above the level expected for their age compared with their peers who say that they OUTCOME 3 Broadening children’s horizons do not have any books of their own. Book ownership and literacy engagement OUTCOME 4 Developing a positive support 9% Those children and young people who do of children and young people not have a book of their own at home are network around each child reported that they do not own three times more likely to have low literacy a book of their own at home – engagement compared with those who have Delight collected outcomes evidence through data collection, questionnaire, that equates to 1 in 11 children a book of their own at home. case studies and teacher, child, parent and volunteer written and verbal feedback. and young people in the UK. Book ownership and mental wellbeing Those children and young people who have a book of their own at home have, on average, a higher mental wellbeing score than those who do not have their own book. Those children and young people who do not have a book of their own at home are twice as likely to have low mental wellbeing than they are to have high mental wellbeing.

1 in 8 children who receive free school meals reported that they do not have a book of their own at home.

12 | Delight in Reading 2018-19 Delight in Reading 2018-19 | 13 OUTCOME 1 “Great way to Supporting children’s social encourage reading” and emotional development PARENT

“Opportunities like this are so rare. The children are all so excited by their books! It’s lovely to see.” TEACHER

For some children at our partner schools, a lack We know there are reluctant and less confident Impact on peer leaders of books at home and/or a lack of parental readers at our partner schools, but without The child-led Delight Book Fair pilot had a hugely Volunteering at the Fair enabled some engagement has led to a negative perception of exception children’s and parents’ feedback positive impact on the Year 6 pupils taking part. children to discover and demonstrate hidden books and of their own reading ability. Reading shows how much the children look forward to the They responded really well to the responsibility talents, boosting confidence and challenging is associated with learning, not enjoyment. Delight Book Fairs. given to them, and afterwards both teachers and their own and teachers’ assumptions Delight in Reading is carefully designed to help pupils told us that they: about their capabilities: challenge and reverse negative perceptions and “My daughter loves the books • learned that they can help others and were encourage children to associate reading and and book fair thank you” surprised at how patient they were with the book ownership as a fun and positive experience. PARENT younger children Children enjoyed: • enjoyed suggesting books to other children ‘Dan’ • the broad range of great quality books on offer and helping the younger ones by reading One young volunteer, Dan, sat separately at the them the titles Year 6 briefing session and, when the time came • being able to choose any two books they like, to team up, Dan was left without a partner. He was free from judgement • loved selling books • developed their reading and listening given responsibility for non-fiction books. As other • taking home their chosen books to keep volunteers prepared their stock, Dan found himself skills along with patience • the informal and engaging mood at book fairs a chair and sat himself down behind his table. • enjoyed working in a team • sharing the book fair experience with their Children began to arrive for the book fair, youngest friends and families first. Non-fiction is always popular and within minutes, Dan’s table was surrounded. He began to respond positively to the popularity and started to take a real interest in the books he had on his table. As the afternoon Q1 progressed, Dan had mastered his book stock and was My child was excited actively promoting books to children, helping them to find to attend the book fair today something they would like. He was thrilled every time one of his books was chosen. At one point, a teacher came over to Dan’s table looking for a book on oceans. He swiftly located a suitable book and suggested another two books she might like on a similar

theme. The teacher took all three books – a triumph for Dan! Much to the amazement of his teachers, Dan continued in this vein right up until the last book was taken from his table. Dan made an invaluable contribution to the success of the Q2 Delight Book Fair that day and was instrumental in helping I enjoyed the book fair today other children find books that they would read and enjoy. His enthusiasm and commitment surprised everyone, including his teachers, and his flair for sales did not go unnoticed. He showed pride in his work and told the Delight Co-ordinator he had really enjoyed himself.

Strongly agree Agree Disagree 14 | Delight in Reading 2018-19 Delight in Reading 2018-19 | 15 OUTCOME 2 OUTCOME 3 Engaging children Broadening children’s horizons with learning “I can’t wait to take my books home! I wish I could take all of them home. We don’t have many books” CHILD

Reading is an essential life skill. Over the course of 2018-19, an incredible 7,620 For some of the children at our partner schools, “Perfect chance to add to my daughter’s But we know from research that great quality, pre-loved books were gifted to Delight Book Fairs present a rare – or the only library without breaking the bank” 3,810 children across Surrey. For younger children, – chance they may have to choose and take PARENT children without books at home are this will have been their first Book Fair; for others home their very own books. The after-school And as books are either free or available to more likely to be less able readers, who have attended previous years’ Fairs, it Book Fairs extend this opportunity to the children purchase at a very low price, children and their and more likely to have a negative was a chance to find new books to excite and and their families, enabling them to buy more families feel able to experiment with new authors challenge them. books for a nominal charge – many take the view of reading and of their own and genres. reading ability. In the three years that Delight in Reading has chance to buy a range of books. been running, an incredible 26,828 books have “They love the opportunity to Delight in Reading helps children to engage with “That was a very good turnout found new homes. There has also been a steady try different types of books and learning and reading by enabling them to select for parents and I saw some families year-on-year increase in the number of books new authors” books of their own to keep, read and enjoy at we don’t usually see” passed on and the number of children PARENT home. By targeting children through our partner HEADTEACHER receiving books. Our new approach of supporting Year 6 pupils schools that serve high need communities, Our partner schools tell us how Delight Book to lead and run their school’s Book Fair has also Delight in Reading enables us to reach and gift Fairs are much better attended than other given these children the opportunity to develop books to many children affected by deprivation commercial book fairs held at their schools, a broad range of new skills and take on new and ‘book poverty’. where books are simply not affordable for low responsibilities, including: income families. Total over • creating a positive, fun and encouraging 2016-2017 2017- 2018 2018- 2019 three years environment at the Fair Q3 • helping other children choose books Number of children in receipt of free books 3,250 3,459 3,810 How many books did you buy today? • presenting their book tables in a way that would be attractive and engaging to children Number of books gifted* 3,250 6,918 7,620 17,788 and families choosing books 1-3 • working as a team to ensure the success of the Number of books purchased 5,125 1,647 2,268 9,040 4-6 Delight Book Fair • promoting the Fair to parents and carers in the 7 or more Total number of books finding new homes 8,375 8,565 9,888 26,828 school playground • handling cash and selling books to adults *Children received one free book in the programme’s first year, driving higher purchases

Although we cannot quantify them, we know This means that the Delight in Reading that many siblings also benefit from the books programme has benefited even more children chosen by their brothers and sisters, with books than those attending our partner schools. being shared or passed on, or older children carefully choosing one free book for themselves and another for a young sibling. The low cost of books at the after-school Fairs means that parents and carers can also afford to buy additional books for all their children. Some older siblings, who have moved up to secondary school, even return to the Delight Book Fair to choose books.

16 | Delight in Reading 2018-19 Delight in Reading 2018-19 | 17 OUTCOME 4 Developing a positive support network around each child

“Thank you for the book fair today. Throughout the year, we’ve worked closely You and your team were great. As the with our partner schools to make sure that children left school they were eagerly parents/carers are aware of the Delight telling their parents about their books. Book Fairs – through fliers, posters, texts, email The love of reading is so important and and the children themselves – and that the opportunities like today are invaluable” fairs themselves are accessible, affordable HEADTEACHER and welcoming. Choosing books together encourages children and their parents/carers Involving parents to read and share them together at home, and A lack of parental engagement is identified by all helps families support their child’s love of books. of our partner schools as a key issue impacting on a child’s reading ability and wider engagement In 2018-19, we welcomed 488 parents and carers with learning. to our after-school Delight Book Fairs. And over the three years the programme has run, there has The power of Delight in Reading not only comes been a steady increase in the number of parents from encouraging and enabling children to read and carers attending. at home for pleasure, but its potential to catalyse families’ support and engagement with their child’s reading.

2016- 2017 2017- 2018 2018- 2019

Number of parents attending Delight book fairs 402 445 488

TEACHING ASSISTANT: “Will your Mum Feedback from parents suggests that parents read those with you?” and carers enjoy attending the Delight Book Fairs, and that doing so does make them CHILD: “I don’t know. We don’t have excited to share the experience of reading any books at home.” with their children.

Q6 ‘Grace’ I feel excited to read with Grace arrived at the Delight Book Fair knowing Grace has made the most of the opportunities my child having attended exactly what she was looking for. She was thrilled offered to her and, now in Year 6, Grace is a the book fair to find two books that fit the bill and couldn’t confident, able and enthusiastic learner. wait to return to the Fair after school to buy more Grace has always loved reading but has had books. When she did, Grace asked if she could have a cardboard box. She then made her way very little access to books at home. Her teacher around the book fair and chose at least 20 books, told us how thrilled she was that the Delight Book filling her cardboard box as she went along, Fair had provided Grace with the opportunity to before paying and heading home. add to her book collection and feed her desire “It was really good for my children so we can get more Grace is one of five children. She arrived at the to read. Moreover, Grace later told her teacher that her mum had not only given her the money books and read together – school in Reception class with low confidence Strongly agree and, throughout her schooling, has received very for the books, but told her to buy books for herself thank you” PARENT little support with learning from home. None of and for her four siblings. This represented a huge Agree her siblings have shown any interest in school, but step forward for her mum. Disagree

18 | Delight in Reading 2018-19 Delight in Reading 2018-19 | 19 Engaging the wider community Summary of achievements

Delight in Reading is very much a community 2018-19 has been another • Our successful pilots in two schools put project – uniting businesses, community 53 successful year for Delight in Year 6 pupils in charge of their school’s organisations, schools and others behind business volunteers gave Reading. Highlights include: Delight Book Fair, putting pupils even the belief that every child should be able 305 hours of support more firmly at the heart of the Delight to have books of their own to enjoy and • Reach and impact has increased year in Reading programme. 36 year 6 spark their imaginations. on year, with more books gifted and pupils benefited from a rewarding and Our young and community volunteers have 36 more children receiving free books empowering experience, with some Year 6 volunteers helped given up over 386 hours of their time in sorting exceeding expectations, boosting run Delight Book Fairs • More parents and carers attended and quality checking thousands of books so the after-school Delight Book Fairs, confidence and self-belief. generously collected and donated by our with hugely positive feedback supporters across Surrey. And our 53 business 14 volunteers have been instrumental in helping young and community volunteers move and sort books behind the scenes, run their helped weekly volunteering own Book Collection days as well as helping to 386 hours of time support the majority of our Book Fairs throughout 9,888 2018-19. This shared community approach helps raise awareness of the largely hidden deprivation Over 21 great quality, that affects some neighbourhoods in Surrey and organisations and individuals pre-loved found new homes champions the power of reading for pleasure. donated thousands of books with children who books had no or few books of their own at home

Looking ahead

Cressida Cowell’s We and our partner schools are We will also create a new ‘reading for 10-point plan for children excited about rolling out our new pleasure’ resource pack, collecting and child-led approach to running sharing ideas for promoting reading for 1 Read for the joy of it pleasure – including book swaps, story 2 Access NEW books in schools, the Delight Book Fairs in all our trails, book treasure hunts, book clubs libraries and bookshops schools, empowering older pupils – helping children to build their love of 3 Have advice from a trained librarian to champion book ownership and books and reading. or bookseller reading for pleasure amongst In the year ahead, we also plan to pilot 4 Own their OWN book their peers. a new ‘Bags of Delight’ initiative, which will see us create Delight Book Bags filled 5 See themselves reflected in a book with 5-10 books for younger readers. 6 Be read aloud to We’ll then work with Family Centres and 7 Put a book down if they’re not enjoying it other community partners to distribute these to families receiving support in the 8 Be creative for at least 15 minutes a week neighbourhoods in which we work. 9 See an author event at least ONCE 10 Have a planet to read on

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